The Columbia Disaster

The space shuttle Columbia, returning to Earth after a 16-day scientific journey through space, disintegrated yesterday morning high above the central Texas plains, killing seven astronauts who had dedicated their lives to exploring the heavens.

The Columbia Disaster

The space shuttle Columbia disintegrated upon re-entry over north central Texas on the morning of Feb. 1, 2003. All seven crew members on board were killed.

• Photo Gallery: Triumph and Tragedy
The Columbia disaster evoked memories of the success and danger of the U.S. space program.

• Timeline: A Disaster Unfolds

• Graphics:The Crew | Debris Map | Columbia Up Close | Chronology of Events | Calculating the Risk

• Video: Astronauts Prepare for Re-entry | Bush Addresses the Nation

• On the Web: Investigation | NASA

• From the Post: The Columbia Disaster

Several Possible Causes Studied (Post, February 2, 2003, Page A1)

Experts Warned Of Budget Cuts, Safety Concerns (Post, February 2, 2003, Page A1)

Fallen Astronauts Spanned the Globe of Diversity (Post, February 2, 2003, Page A1)

Rain of Metal Rattles Those on the Ground (Post, February 2, 2003, Page A1)

Racing Through Space Had Become Routine (Post, February 2, 2003, Page A1)

Hard Work, High Spirits: Aboard Laboratory in Sky, Science Mixed With Wonderment (Post, February 3, 2003, Page A1)

Shuttle's Left Side Heated Up Sharply: Trouble Began Early, First Details Suggest (Post, February 3, 2003, Page A1)

U.S. Leaders Vow To Sustain Program: Columbia Crew Mourned Across World (Post, March 3, 2003, Page A1)

Safety an Issue Since '90s: Experts Critical of Shuttle Program's Budget Cuts (Post, February 3, 2003, Page A1)

NASA Widens Look at Shuttle Heating: Engineers Seek 'Missing Link' Beyond Wing (Post, February 4, 2003, Page A1)

Foam Was Largest Piece to Hit A Shuttle: Hunt for Key Wreckage Extends to California (Post, February 5, 2003, Page A1)

NASA Seeks Clues in Wing Fragment: Examination of Damage May Explain Columbia's Disintegration (Post, February 9, 2003, Page A1)

Report Blames Flawed NASA Culture for Tragedy: In Broad Indictment of Practices, Shuttle Panel Says Safety Suffered (Post, August 27, 2003, Page A1)

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The Columbia Disaster