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bicosi
life is a carousel
Member since 7/07 14956 total posts
Name:
M
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So Sad.. 5 Years ago today - 2/1/2003 Columbia Breaksup on Re-entry
"The Space Shuttle Columbia disaster occurred on February 1, 2003, when the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated over Texas during re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere, with the loss of all seven crew, shortly before it was scheduled to conclude its 28th mission, STS-107.
The loss of the Columbia was caused by damage sustained during launch when a piece of foam insulation the size of a small briefcase and known as the Left Bipod Foam Ramp broke off the main propellant tank under the aerodynamic forces of launch. The debris struck the leading edge of the left wing on the number 8 reinforced carbon-carbon (RCC) tile, damaging the Shuttle's thermal protection system (TPS). While Columbia was still in orbit, some engineers suspected damage, but NASA managers limited the investigation on the grounds that little could be done even if problems were found.
NASA's Shuttle safety regulations stated that external tank foam shedding and subsequent debris strikes upon the Shuttle itself were safety issues that needed to be resolved before a launch was cleared, but launches were often given the go-ahead as engineers unsuccessfully studied the foam shedding problem. The majority of Shuttle launches recorded such foam strikes and thermal tile scarring in violation of safety regulations. During re-entry of STS-107, the damaged area allowed the hot gases to penetrate and destroy the internal wing structure,[1] eventually causing the in-flight breakup of the vehicle. A massive ground search in parts of Texas, Louisiana and Arkansas recovered crew remains and many vehicle fragments."
May they rest in peace. 
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Posted 2/1/08 9:18 AM  |
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CunningOne
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Member since 5/05 26975 total posts
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Re: So Sad.. 5 Years ago today - 2/1/2003 Columbia Breaksup on Re-entry
I was actually at home watching it when it happened.
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| Posted 2/1/08 9:46 AM |
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joenick
Us
Member since 6/06 9370 total posts
Name:
Valerie...aka...Do Me A Favor?
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Re: So Sad.. 5 Years ago today - 2/1/2003 Columbia Breaksup on Re-entry
I still remember the Challenger explosion back in 1986. I was in 7th grade and we watched it on TV in our classroom.
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| Posted 2/1/08 9:48 AM |
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bicosi
life is a carousel
Member since 7/07 14956 total posts
Name:
M
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Re: So Sad.. 5 Years ago today - 2/1/2003 Columbia Breaksup on Re-entry
Posted by joenick
I still remember the Challenger explosion back in 1986. I was in 7th grade and we watched it on TV in our classroom.
I was in class too.. I'll never forget that day!
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| Posted 2/1/08 10:01 AM |
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pinkandblue
Our family is complete, maybe
Member since 9/05 32436 total posts
Name:
Stephanie
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Re: So Sad.. 5 Years ago today - 2/1/2003 Columbia Breaksup on Re-entry
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| Posted 2/1/08 10:15 AM |
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donegal419
St. Gerard, pray for us.
Member since 7/07 7650 total posts
Name:
K
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Re: So Sad.. 5 Years ago today - 2/1/2003 Columbia Breaksup on Re-entry
That was 5 years ago, already? Where does the time go?
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| Posted 2/2/08 12:52 AM |
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GenLCSW
Baby # 3 is here!!!
Member since 7/05 21138 total posts
Name:
Genna
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Re: So Sad.. 5 Years ago today - 2/1/2003 Columbia Breaksup on Re-entry
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| Posted 2/2/08 5:32 AM |
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