Yup, and after the shuttle burned up on re-entry, the folks who run the high resolution ground radar went back and reviewed imagery they took of the shuttle a day or two after launch. The shuttle had just completed a maneuver and a piece of debris was seen floating away. No one noticed at the time.
From Google Gemini…
Debris Detected in Orbit (Radar Tracking)
​While Columbia was in orbit, Air Force ground-based radar (which tracks space debris) actually detected an object moving away from the shuttle.
​What was seen: On the second day of the mission, radar tracked a small object (about 12 by 6 inches) drifting away from Columbia at about 5 mph.
​The Significance: It was later determined that this was likely a piece of the RCC (Reinforced Carbon-Carbon) wing panel that had been shattered by the foam strike.
​The Tragedy: This radar data was processed automatically but was not reviewed by NASA or the Air Force until after the shuttle disintegrated during reentry. It was the “smoking gun” that damage had indeed occurred.
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I was stationed at KUMMSC at Kirtland for 7 years. You could watch Starfire in action on occasion. Lots of history inside Manzano Mtn and behind it. We used to store nuclear weapons inside the mountain. I was fortunate enough to tour it several times. Eisenhowers presidential bunker was inside.
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It looks like a giant …
Yup, and after the shuttle burned up on re-entry, the folks who run the high resolution ground radar went back and reviewed imagery they took of the shuttle a day or two after launch. The shuttle had just completed a maneuver and a piece of debris was seen floating away. No one noticed at the time.
From Google Gemini…
Debris Detected in Orbit (Radar Tracking)
​While Columbia was in orbit, Air Force ground-based radar (which tracks space debris) actually detected an object moving away from the shuttle.
​What was seen: On the second day of the mission, radar tracked a small object (about 12 by 6 inches) drifting away from Columbia at about 5 mph.
​The Significance: It was later determined that this was likely a piece of the RCC (Reinforced Carbon-Carbon) wing panel that had been shattered by the foam strike.
​The Tragedy: This radar data was processed automatically but was not reviewed by NASA or the Air Force until after the shuttle disintegrated during reentry. It was the “smoking gun” that damage had indeed occurred.
I was stationed at KUMMSC at Kirtland for 7 years. You could watch Starfire in action on occasion. Lots of history inside Manzano Mtn and behind it. We used to store nuclear weapons inside the mountain. I was fortunate enough to tour it several times. Eisenhowers presidential bunker was inside.