News From Space!

February 1st is the six-year anniversary of Shuttle Columbia's breakup over Texas. Seven astronauts lost their lives returning from a 16-day science mission, STS-107. NewsFromSpace was covering the landing as it happened.

President Bush issued a statement that day to a stunned nation.

The cause of the accident was later determined to be a breach in the leading edge of the left wing, which allowed a blast of superheated air to melt the underlying structure, ripping the orbiter apart as it was flying at Mach 18 across the American South. The hole was caused by a briefcase-sized chunk of foam insulation coming loose from the external tank and striking the wing during liftoff.

The damage to the heat shield would lead to the destruction of the spacecraft, and the suspension of Shuttle flights for over 2 years.

Rest easy, you seven... Rest easy, Columbia.