Yeah yea, all that NASA media BS but, that protrusions would cause an even greater presure, at that particular leading edge (the "goop" sticking out (or protruding past the tile surface)). Causing increased heat, from the "extra" compresion. All the while the friction from the elements or "air" from the atmosphere are also creating HUGE amounts of heat from the energy exchange. Ya know, thousands of miles per hour (for your perspective) slowing down because of the "thickness" of the "air". That creates friction, generating heat. That EXTRA heat from the EXTRA compresion of "air" on that leading edge (the "goop" protrusion), PLUS the allready great amounts of heat generated from the friction of the "air", could cause the tile to fail in that local area, not do it's job. It would be a localized failure, a hull breach, if you will. That would definitly lead to the failure of the entire structure, because of the compounded presure at the failure spot(the soon gaping, flaming hole in the shuttle).

BUT HEY!!! IT'S NOT GONNA HAPPEN. It's not a big enough of a deal. NASA is just "trippin'" because Colombia (God rest there souls, if you belive in "that shit". I'm all sicence and PROOF here) broke up on re-entry. Hey it is a big "media deal", why in the fuck do you think NASA is making a "big deal" about it. Shure they want the astronauts to come back safe, BUT HOW MANY TIMES HAS A SHUTTLE COME BACK SAFE AND SOUND. To only find out once it's on the ground, that it did have some quite possibly catastrophic problems.

THAT SHIP IS COMMING BACK SAFE, NO DOUBT.

Look at the past. Men have gone in to space and come back safe. With no more than the "tin can" they where in, and less than an "old lady 88" computer flying that shit. "They where some brave mother fuckers"

Siging off, "This is ground control to Major..." You know how it goes.

I'm drunk, and so is President Bush. LOL