Columbia Launch STS-107 Failure
Abstract:
This document introduces key details surrounding the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Space Shuttle Columbia launch STS-107. STS-107 launched with the task of performing multiple research studies. Though the research was a success, the reentry of this flight ended in disaster. This document briefly covers the goals of the mission, research goals, and loss of the crew.
Introduction:
NASA’s Space Shuttle program was a prominent force in scientific research for the past several decades. On January 16, 2003, the Columbia Space Shuttle Mission STS-107 launched. Seven astronauts flew aboard the Columbia with the goal of expanding scientific knowledge in many fields of research. The destruction
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The American Space Shuttle Program. STS-107 began on January 16, 2003, and continued normally until re-entry on February 1, 2003. Upon re-entry, STS-107’s the left wing was critically damaged. Moments later, the resulting damage caused the shuttle to erupt in flames and to disintegrate, killing all inside.
Though their lives were lost, the crew’s valiant efforts were not in vain. The goal of the mission “…was dedicated to research in physical, life, and space sciences, conducted in approximately 80 separate experiments…” which was successfully carried out (Dunbar, 2003). The crew of seven, made use of shift work, working for “24 hours a day, in two alternating shifts” (Dunbar, 2006), over the mission period of 16 days. The crew’s daily activities primarily consisted of chores related to the experiments in progress.
Resources
Dunbar, B. (2006, March 7). Background Information on the Columbia Space Shuttle Mission STS-107. Retrieved October 10, 2017, from