|
While
returning from orbit on Feb. 1, 2003, Space Shuttle Columbia
and all seven STS-107 crewmembers were lost over north central
Texas. Columbia was returning from a 16-day scientific research
mission.
|
|
A Statement
from the Families of Space Shuttle Columbia
|
|
On January
16th, we saw our loved ones launch into a brilliant, cloud-free
sky. Their hearts were full of enthusiasm, pride in country,
faith in their God, and a willingness to accept risk in the
pursuit of knowledge --- knowledge that might improve the quality
of life for all mankind. Columbia's 16-day mission of scientific
discovery was a great success, cut short by mere minutes ---
yet it will live on forever in our memories. We want to thank
the NASA family and people from around the world for their incredible
outpouring of love and support. Although we grieve deeply, as
do the families of Apollo 1 and Challenger before us, the bold
exploration of space must go on. Once the root cause of this
tragedy is found and corrected, the legacy of Columbia must
carry on --- for the benefit of our children and yours.
|
| |
| |
Click
on the head of each crew member for a biography
|
|
| "All Americans today
are thinking ... of the families of these men and women
who have been given this sudden shock and grief. You're
not alone. Our entire nation grieves with you. And those
you loved will always have the respect and gratitude of
this country." |
|
|
-- President
George W. Bush, Feb. 1, 2003
|
"They dedicated their
lives to pushing scientific challenges for all of us here
on Earth. They dedicated themselves to that objective and
did it with a happy heart, willingly and with great enthusiasm
...
"We trust the prayers of the Nation will be with them
and with their families. A more courageous group of people
you could not have hoped to know -- an extraordinary group
of astronauts who gave their lives -- and the families of
these crewmembers." |
|
|
--
NASA Administrator
Sean O'Keefe, Feb. 1, 2003
|
STS-107
Crew Profiles
STS-107
Crew Logo
| STS-107
is a multi-discipline microgravity and Earth science research
mission with a multitude of international scientific investigations
conducted continuously during the planned 16 days on orbit. The
central element of the patch is the microgravity symbol, µg,
flowing into the rays of the astronaut symbol. The mission inclination
is portrayed by the 39-degree angle of the astronaut symbol to
the Earth's horizon. The sunrise is representative of the numerous
experiments that are the dawn of a new era for continued microgravity
research on the International Space Station and beyond. The breadth
of science conducted on this mission will have widespread benefits
to life on Earth and our continued exploration of space illustrated
by the Earth and stars. The constellation Columba (the dove) was
chosen to symbolize peace on Earth and the Space Shuttle Columbia.
The seven stars also represent the mission crew members and honor
the original astronauts who paved the way to make research in
space possible. The Israeli flag is adjacent to the name of the
payload specialist who is the first person from that country to
fly on the Space Shuttle. |
|
Crew
Training: To find out how the crew is trained for complex payloads
like CM-2, click
here.
|
