The Space Shuttle Columbia disaster occurred when Columbia broke apart over Texas as it re-entered the atmosphere at the end of its twenty-eighth mission, STS-107, killing all seven crew members. Among them were the commander Rick Husband, the mission specialist Kalpana Chawla, and Ilan Ramon, the first Israeli astronaut. The investigation found that a piece of foam insulation had broken off the external fuel tank during launch and struck the leading edge of the left wing, making a hole through which hot gases entered during re-entry. The report also criticized NASA's safety culture. The shuttle fleet was grounded for more than two years, and the program was retired in 2011.
Before and after
- 2003Known exoplanets pass 100
- 3 January 2003Birth of Greta Thunberg
- 7 January 2003Release of Safari
- 16 January 2003Launch of STS-107
- 1 February 2003Space Shuttle Columbia disaster
- 5 February 2003Discovery of Eukelade
- 5 February 2003Discovery of Narvi
- 5 February 2003Discovery of Eupheme
- 5 February 2003Discovery of Jupiter LXXIII
More in Society, economy & sport
- 22 March 1945Founding of Arab League
- 14 September 1960Founding of Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries
- 10 December 1987Rise of Hamas
- 1994Rise of Taliban
- 1 January 1995Founding of World Trade Organization
- 11 September 2001September 11 attacks
The era
This moment belongs to the Contemporary world (1945 CE to today), the world since 1945. You can also browse everything in the 21st century.