We have looked at every idea that you can imagine over the last 2.5 years (since the STS-107 investigation ended). The many different flavors of some sort of covering to hold debris are largely unworkable for many reasons. How would you fasten the cover to the tank to be certain that it did not itself become more debris (and worse debris cause it is far more dense than foam)? Also, the Kevlar can not even come close to surviving the aero-heating environment on ascent, especially in areas where shock impingement can (and does) occur. Don't forget, at this point there can not be any major redesign such as to provide hard attach points. We have to fly out the existing hardware.

I was at Marshal for about 1.5 months after the hurricane, I love it up there. I went out to the local R/C field, RCRC (Rocket City R/C Club). Wonderful paved runway and facility! Lots of Marshal guys were down here all last week for PAL Ramp Removal meetings.