On This Day in Space History

A CHRONICLE OF SPACEFLIGHT

THE SPACE RACE · THE SHUTTLE ERA · ROBOTIC EXPLORATION · 1957–PRESENT

Welcome to On This Day A daily chronicle of humanity in space — the launches, landings, spacewalks, and firsts that mark the space age. Start here. Read the welcome →
February 1
Space Shuttle
Mission
Space Shuttle
Series
NASA
Venue
Over Texas, USA
Date
February 1, 2003
Agency
NASA
Nickname
Space Shuttle Columbia disaster
Crew
Rick Husband
Kalpana Chawla
Ilan Ramon

Space Shuttle Columbia disaster

Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated during reentry over Texas at the end of mission STS-107, killing all seven astronauts. Damage to the wing's thermal protection from foam debris at launch caused the failure, leading to the eventual retirement of the Shuttle program.

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