I really think those cameras mounted on the solid rocket boosters are cool but I was thinking, would it even be possible to mount a camera in the vertical stabilizer, like the 777 and A340?
I know the leading edge of the vert. stab. has insulator tiles but how heat-critical is that zone? Since the orbiter's angle of attack is very steep nose-up, I would think that area doesn't get as hot as the wing leading edge where the hole was on Columbia.

Or, is there a material out there that is almost as heat resistant but clear that could cover a camera hole? How are the camera holes covered on the jetliner?

Another idea - how about the OMS pods - I dont think the tops of them have any black tiles which means they're non-critical areas.

It would be very cool because as far as i know, no human has ever observed a spacecraft's exterior during re-entry. All we have is artist renderings and computer simulations.

Bruce