What struck the Space Shuttle Columbia's left wing leading edge shortly after launch?
Answer
A piece of foam insulation separating from the external tank.
The initial critical damage to the Space Shuttle Columbia occurred due to a piece of foam insulation detaching from the external fuel tank during the ascent phase shortly after liftoff. This piece struck and compromised the leading edge of the left wing, damaging the Thermal Protection System (TPS). Although this damage was sustained early in the mission, it remained latent until the tremendous thermal and aerodynamic stresses of atmospheric re-entry caused superheated plasma to breach the structure through that weak point.
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