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Remembering Space Shuttle Columbia
10 years ago today, NASA lost its first spaceworthy shuttle -- and the world lost one of the most diverse crews of astronauts ever to explore space.
- Rocket engines blazing, the Space Shuttle Columbia arcs into Florida's morning sky after lifting off from pad 39-A at Kennedy Space Center. Seen here in January of 1996, this space shuttle has been operational for more than 15 years -- racking up 20 flights and over 77 million miles in orbit while spending 177 days in space. The first member of NASA's shuttle fleet, Columbia shares it name with another famous spacecraft launched from pad 39-A, the Apollo 11 command module.read moreNASAShare
- The Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated on reentry because a block of foam fell from the External Tank onto the reinforced carbon-carbon wing-leading edge of the Space Shuttle. After the disintegration, engineers demonstrated the damage that could be wrought by a small block of foam, and the panels ruined during the demonstrations, along with a block of foam, are on display at the U.S. Space and Rocket Center.read moreJames E. ScarboroughShare
- The STS-107 crewmembers pose for their traditional in-flight crew portrait aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. From the left (bottom row) are astronauts Kalpana Chawla, mission specialist; Rick D. Husband, mission commander; Laurel B. Clark, mission specialist; and Ilan Ramon, payload specialist. From the left (top row) are astronauts David M. Brown, mission specialist; William C. McCool, pilot; and Michael P. Anderson, payload commander.read moreNASAShare
- On the craft's maiden voyage, the crew of space shuttle Columbia took this image that showcases the blackness of space and a blue and white Earth, as well as the cargo bay and aft section of the shuttle. The image was photographed through the flight deck's aft windows. In the lower right corner is one of the vehicle's radiator panels. The pentagon-shaped object in the upper left is glare caused by window reflection.read moreNASAShare
- Published26 Images
Remembering Space Shuttle Columbia
10 years ago today, NASA lost its first spaceworthy shuttle -- and the world lost one of the most diverse crews of astronauts ever to explore space.
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