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Home , Gregory Jarvis, Laurel Clark, Rick Husband

Feb. 14, 2003 Vol. 42, No. 3 Spaceport News America’s gateway to the universe. Leading the world in preparing and launching missions to Earth and beyond. http://www-pao.ksc.nasa.gov/kscpao/snews/snewstoc.htm John F. We will remember Columbia Kennedy Space Center workers and space program followers around the world were watching for the return home of Columbia and the STS-107 crew during the clear morning of Feb. 1. The ’ families and others had gathered along the Landing Facility runway to hear the twin sonic booms and see the fast approach- ing orbiter. Columbia was scheduled to land at 9:16 a.m. As that time came and passed, everyone continued to The , at left, lifts off Jan. 16 beginning Mission wait, wondering when the orbiter STS-107. Above are flowers, messages and photos guests left at the would appear. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in a memorial to the Columbia Then the realization that Colum- astronauts, who lost their lives Feb. 1 during the orbiter’s reentry. bia wasn’t coming back began to dawn on those who were waiting. Columbia and the beloved crew the ship carried: NASA astronauts Rick The Mission Control Center at “Coming from many backgrounds and countries of broadcast Husband, William McCool, Michael the message that Columbia had Anderson, David Brown, Kalpana birth, these seven joined hands with each of us to been lost. The public was warned Chawla, , and Israeli undertake the most challenging task in the history to be careful of any debris that fell . of human kind – exploring space.” to Earth because it could be “Coming from many back- covered in toxic chemicals. grounds and countries of birth, these seven joined hands with each ROY BRIDGES JR. Soon the nation and the world KENNEDY SPACE CENTER DIRECTOR would be in shock over the loss of (See COLUMBIA, Page 6)

Inside Columbia astronauts gave their all The STS-107 astronauts van- Page 2 – Words of reassurance ished with Columbia the morning of from Bush and O’Keefe. Feb. 1, but they live on in our Page 3 – 1, Challenger memories. and Columbia remembered. A husband and father of two, the determined Commander Rick Pages 4-5 – KSC and the world grieve. Husband realized his dreams of becoming an astronaut after four attempts: “From the time I was about four years old, I wanted to be an astronaut. It was just so incredibly adventurous and exciting to me.” However, the devoted Christian Page 6 – Investigators probe for answers. was most proud of his personal STS-107 crew members: Seated (from left) are , mission treasures. commander; , mission specialist; and William C. McCool, Page 7 – Columbia’s reentry “The most enjoyable part of my pilot. Standing (from left) are David Brown and Laurel Clark, both mission stopped stort. specialists; Michael Anderson, payload commander; and Ilan Ramon, (See CREW, Page 8) representing the Israeli Space Agency.

color Columbia fin.pmd 1 2/25/03, 11:04 AM Page 2 SPACEPORT NEWS Feb. 14, 2003 President George W. Bush comforts nation

EDITOR’S NOTE: President Clark; Capt. David Brown; Comm. All Americans today are comfort and hope. George W. Bush addressed the William McCool; Dr. Kalpana thinking, as well, of the families of In the words of the prophet nation Feb. 1 on the loss of Space Chawla; and Ilan Ramon, a these men and women who have Isaiah, “Lift your eyes and look to Shuttle Columbia and its astronaut colonel in the Israeli Air Force. been given this sudden shock and the heavens. Who created all crew just hours earlier. These men and women assumed grief. these? great risk in the service to all You’re not alone. Our entire “He who brings out the starry My fellow Americans, this day humanity. nation grieves with you. And those hosts one by one and calls them has brought terrible news and In an age when space flight has you loved will always have the each by name. Because of His great sadness to our country. come to seem almost routine, it is respect and gratitude of this great power and mighty strength, At 9 a.m. this morning, Mission easy to overlook the dangers of country. not one of them is missing.” Control in lost contact travel by rocket, and the difficul- The cause in which they died The same Creator who names with our Space Shuttle Columbia. ties of navigating the fierce outer will continue. the stars also knows the names of A short time later, debris was atmosphere of the Earth. Mankind is led into the dark- the seven souls we mourn today. seen falling from the skies above These astronauts knew the ness beyond our world by the The crew of the shuttle Colum- . dangers, and they faced them inspiration of discovery and the bia did not return safely to Earth; The Columbia is lost; there are willingly, knowing they had a high longing to understand. Our yet we can pray that all are safely no survivors. and noble purpose in life. journey into space will go on. home. On board was a crew of seven: Because of their courage and In the skies today we saw May God bless the grieving Col. Rick Husband; Lt. Col. daring and idealism, we will miss destruction and tragedy. Yet families, and may God continue to Michael Anderson; Comm. Laurel them all the more. farther than we can see there is bless America. Sean O’Keefe shares his A statement from the families of Columbia condolences On January 16th, we saw our loved ones launch into a brilliant, cloud-free sky. Their hearts were full of enthusiasm, pride in coun- EDITOR’S NOTE: NASA Adminis- try, faith in their God, and a willingness to accept risk in the pur- trator Sean O’Keefe made a statement following the Columbia suit of knowledge – knowledge that might improve the quality of accident Feb 1. The following are his comments life for all mankind. Columbia’s 16-day mission of scientific dis- pertaining to the fallen astronauts covery was a great success, cut short by mere minutes – yet it will and their families. live on forever in our memories. We want to thank the NASA family ... I was here this morning with the families of the astronauts and and people from around the world for their incredible outpouring their friends. of love and support. Although we grieve deeply, as do the families It started out as a pretty happy morning, as of Apollo 1 and Challenger before us, the bold exploration of we awaited the landing space must go on. Once the root cause of this tragedy is found and of STS-107. corrected, the legacy of Columbia must carry on – for the benefit We had highly of our children and yours. anticipated their return because we couldn’t happy heart, willingly and with Please respect their privacy and and the families of these wait to great enthusiasm. please understand the tragedy that crew members. congratu- The loss of this valued crew is they are going through at this They knew exactly the risks. And late them for their extraordinary something we will never be time. We will help the media assure never, ever did we want to see a performance and their excellent able to get over. that this will be the case as well. circumstance in which this could effort on this very important We have assured the families We trust the prayers of the happen. science mission. that we will do everything, Nation will be with them and We diligently dedicate ourselves They dedicated their lives to everything we can possibly do to with their families. every single day to assuring these pushing scientific challenges guarantee that we work our way A more courageous group of things don’t occur. And when they for all of us here on Earth. through this horrific tragedy. people you could not have hoped do we have to act responsibly, They dedicated themselves to We ask the members of the media to know – an extraordinary group accountably and that is exactly that objective and did it with a to honor that too. of astronauts who gave their lives- what we will do.

color Columbia fin.pmd 2 2/25/03, 11:05 AM Feb. 14, 2003 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 3 Apollo 1, Challenger and Columbia Three groups of astronauts have a special place in the hearts Crews will never of Kennedy Space Center workers and others across the globe. Their heroism as space explorers will never be be forgotten forgotten. At left, the Columbia astronauts pose in the white room at the launch pad before the STS-107 mission. Kneeling The employees at Kennedy in front are (left to right) Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon, Pilot Space Center have experienced William “Willie” McCool and Mission Specialist David Brown. painful emotions following the Standing in back are (left to right) Payload Commander tragedies that have struck the Michael Anderson, Mission Specialist Kalpana Chawla, space program. Commander Rick Husband and Mission Specialist Laurel The Apollo 204 fire took the lives Clark. Below left, pictured in the white room about 17 years of three astronauts during a test at before, are Challeger (from left) Payload Specialists Christa Launch Complex 34 on Jan. 27, Corrigan McAuliffe and , Mission Specialist 1967. Nineteen years passed before Judith Resnick, Commander Francis “Dick” Scobee, Mission Specialist Ronald McNair, Pilot Michael Smith and Mission disaster struck again as Space Specialist . Below right are Apollo I astronauts Shuttle Challenger exploded in (from left) Virgil “Gus” Grissom, Edward White II and Roger plain sight of KSC on Jan. 28, 1986. Chaffee. Then Feb. 1 seventeen years later, again, the unthinkable: Seven explorers, returning home from a successful science mission van- ished, seemingly into thin air. Angelo Taiani, a NASA retiree and volunteer escort for Public Affairs, recalls that the Apollo fire was debilitating because many employees got to know the astronauts. He even had occasion to talk to himself. “I saw the capsule while it was being dismantled in the Operations and Checkout Building. The whole inside was completely black and observed that uncertainty sets in. When Challenger launched, she lost, but the opportunity to fly into charred,” he said “On everyone’s minds are was working for JoAnn Morgan in space and to be a part of space Taiani was on the Vehicle thoughts of layoffs and downtime. Payloads Projects. Seeing it with history, and all that goes with it, Assembly Building roof with press The feelings of guilt can be her own eyes, the event had an outweighs any fears. Realistically, photographers when Columbia was overwhelming when you realize deep impact on Kleinschmidt. the chances of being killed in a car due home. The weather was that you are worrying about your “The STS-107 mission was very accident are greater than being somewhat hazy, and the photogra- job when someone has just died.” different because I was much more killed on a space flight.” phers were grumbling that it was Frank Kiep, an administrative involved and had escorted guests Center Director Roy Bridges, a the worst weather for any landing services supervisor for Indyne, to view the launch. I had even met former astronaut and retired U.S. at KSC, that they would not be able Inc., said printing services are in Commander Rick Husband who Air Force Major General, rallied the to see the orbiter come in because high demand after an accident. He was very personable and genuine,” troops Feb. 3, with words of en- of the haze. But shock set in recalls that security was so tight she said. “Even though I had couragement: “The night that we following a radio message that after the Apollo fire they were hoped to never go through this lost the Challenger, I gathered my transmissions from the orbiter had locked down in the VAB while they kind of tragedy again, the prayers family around me, and we hugged stopped over Texas, and they were working but that after the of support we have received have each other and cried together over should return to the press site. Challenger accident, a lockdown really helped get us through these the loss of our friends, and I recall Memories of Challenger are still was not required. last few days. I think this tragedy saying that I intended to be on the painful for Barry Grinter, a senior Kiep planned to watch Columbia has drawn the NASA family closer next crew to return to space. That electrical engineer with United land while he was fishing. He together.” wasn’t to be, but I have in some Space Alliance. learned of the accident when his Bill Gary, a NASA facility way been involved in almost every “Back then,” he recalled, “we wife called him by cell phone. manager for the O&C Building mission since. I believe in what we were working in the VAB doing “I felt disbelief,” he said. “The where the crew quarters are are doing and know that the risks testing on the solid rocket booster thing that struck me when I first located, has watched the astro- are worth it. I firmly believe that forward and aft skirts. Since we heard the news was that I didn’t nauts come and go as they prepare each of the seven aboard Columbia were close by, we’d watch the know their names, and I felt bad for their missions. He mused, made their choice and would make orbiters being raised and lowered about that. I wanted to know their “After Challenger, you never want it again for all the right reasons. into the high bays to be mated with names.” to believe that it will happen again, We are a people who live to their boosters and external tanks. Jane Kleinschmidt, executive but it almost goes with the territory. explore. Thank God that we have Since we lived with them, we felt assistant to Center Director Roy Each person who is accepted into people who are willing to take very close to the orbiters.” Bridges, relocated to KSC following the astronaut program knows that those risks. Where would we be After the initial shock, he the Apollo fire. on any given mission lives may be without them?”

color Columbia fin.pmd 3 2/25/03, 11:05 AM Page 4 SPACEPORT NEWS Feb. 14, 2003 KSC and the world

Employees listen to the Columbia crew memorial held at KSC Space Shuttle Landing Facility Feb. 7.

Employee Assistance Program counselors here to help workers Workers at Kennedy Space Center are urged to call the Employee Assistance Program hotline if they need help dealing with the Columbia tragedy. Because each person copes with such tragedy in a unique way, some workers will find it especially helpful to talk to a trained counselor, said Dr. David Tipton, chief, Aerospace Medicine and Occupational Health Branch in the Spaceport Services Directorate. Specially trained area counselors are available. Center Director Roy Bridges Jr. urged workers not to suffer alone with survivor’s guilt. “This guilt is something that can depress us and rob us of the focus we all need to get back to flying again,” he said. “It is human to feel this way, but we must fight it. We have counselors available to help you deal with the natural human emotions of grief and the accompanying guilt that we may have in some way done something or thought something that we shouldn’t have. I urge you to take advantage of this help. With expert help and some time we can recover.” KSC employees who believe they could benefit from counseling should call the EAP At top, Kennedy Space Center managers and workers and community members listen to the Columbia crew mem hotline at 867-7398 to receive contact Space Center Feb. 7. Above, speakers for the event included, from left, NASA Associate Deputy Administrator for information for counseling. Management James Jennings, Govenor Jeb Bush, NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe, Columbia’s first pilo , astronaut Jim Halsell, and members of the clergy.

Following the Columbia tragedy Feb. 1, people Space Mirror at the KSC Visitor Complex and the Feb. 4 and the Washington National Cathedral across the world began sending condolences to entryway to Johnson Space Center. Feb. 6. the astronaut families and the NASA centers, Memorials books and banners were signed to KSC held its memorial service the morning of including Kennedy Space Center. honor the astronauts. Girls attending the Sally Feb. 7 at the Space Shuttle Landing Facility. Many space program workers were individu- Ride Science Festival in Orlando Feb. 2, for Taking part in the service were NASA Adminis- ally contacted by family and friends who wanted example, filled a banner full of signatures. trator Sean O’Keefe, former KSC Director Robert to show their support. Various churches and other organizations Crippen, astronaut Jim Halsell, Florida Governor The public began to spontaneously create across the nation held memorials for the Colum- Jeb Bush, several KSC employees, area clergy- memorials to the fallen astronauts in various bia crew. men and members of Patrick Air Force Base. locations, including the Astronaut Memorial A memorial was held at Johnson Space Center Crippen said, “The grief in the hearts of the

color Columbia fin.pmd 4 2/25/03, 11:06 AM Feb. 14, 2003 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 5 world grieves

President George W. Bush speaks at the Columbia memorial held at Johnson Space Center Feb. 4

Kennedy Space Center Director Roy Angelo Taiani, a Bridges and Deputy Director James NASA retiree was Kennedy Feb. 3 place a wreath in escorting photo- front of the Astronauts Memorial graphers on the Space Mirror at the KSC Visitor Vehicle Assembly Complex. Building roof waiting for Columbia’s return Feb. 1.

Employees react at the Columbia memorial held at KSC.

Guests at the KSC Visitor Complex sign a Columbia memorial book.

At right and below, students attending the Sally Ride Science Festival in Orlando sign a banner in memory of the Columbia astronauts. The Feb. 2 festival drew girls from the he Columbia crew memorial service held at Kennedy Central Florida area On the top of the mound where the NASA News Center is eputy Administrator for Institutions and Asset to learn more about located, NBC television news anchor Tom Brokaw gets efe, Columbia’s first pilot and former KSC Director science and math ready to give a report on the loss of Columbia. careers.

crew’s families and the entire NASA family, feelings. The NASA family speaks much clearer which includes all of our contractor community, with actions. The action that is being taken to which supports the Agency, is very heavy. Still, find the cause of the accident, correct it and this crew lived lives that deserve our celebra- continue the crew’s journey of discovery in tion. Yes, they were cut short, but these brave space is the grandest tribute that we can pay to men and women lived their lives to the fullest them. I’m certain that is what they would have doing much more in their time here on Earth than wanted.” many can imagine. The KSC service concluded with a “Missing “Words at a time like this seem weak. They Man Formation Fly Over” by NASA T-38 jet don’t fully communicate the depth of our .

color Columbia fin.pmd 5 2/25/03, 11:07 AM Feb. 14, 2003 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 6 Investigation teams search for answers NASA Administrator Sean Kennedy response team is helping O’Keefe announced a Mishap to photograph and collect debris as Interagency Investigation Board well as analyze the pieces. Mike would provide an independent Leinbach, launch director, is review of events and activities leading the KSC teams. leading to the loss of the seven A Management Recovery Team astronauts on board Space Shuttle at KSC is coordinating KSC Columbia Feb. 2, the day after the technical support and assets to the Columbia accident. Mishap Investigation Team in All members of the panel, Barksdale, La., and providing according to O’Keefe, are “Safety A Kennedy Space Center team works to support the investigation. support for the Recovery teams in and Mission Assurance related Los Angeles, Texas, New Mexico, officials in other departments of the Ames Research Center, Moffett from the Federal Emergency and . Federal government, from the Air Field, Calif.; Bryan D. O’Connor, Management Agency (FEMA), the In addition, the team is following Force, the Navy, the Department of NASA associate administrator and Environmental Protection Agency up on local leads pertaining to Transportation, and across the former astronaut, Office of Safety (EPA), Federal Bureau of Investiga- potential debris in the KSC area. federal expanse.” and Mission Assurance, Headquar- tion, Department of Homeland Mike Wetmore, director of Shuttle The board is headquartered at ters; and Theron Bradley Jr., NASA Security, teams of propulsion Processing, is handling the KSC Barksdale Air Force Base in chief engineer, NASA Headquar- system experts from Marshall support to the teams. Louisiana, close to the East Texas ters, Washington. O’Conner will Space Flight Center. The internal investigation is area where the bulk of Columbia’s serve as ex-officio member. Bradley The recovery part of the investi- being processed and managed by debris has been found. The debris will serve as executive secretary. gation is under the direction of Gehman’s investigative board, is to be reassembled for analysis at O’Keefe said Feb. 6 that other FEMA. The EPA deployed hazard- which will ultimately make recom- Kennedy Space Center. board members would be added if ous material teams to collect debris, mendations based on the findings. Chairing the panel is U.S. Navy need be to provide further expertise mobilized Airborne Spectral Photo- “We have no timetable, but we Adm. Harold W. Gehman Jr. The and independence. Imaging of Environmental Contami- have two main responsibilities admiral co-chaired the independent Under the umbrella of the nants Technology aircraft to help here,” Gehman said. “One is to commission that investigated the Mishap Interagency Investigative locate debris using infrared sensors future astronauts, who need to attack on the U.S.S. Cole in Aden, Board, there are more than 20 to detect hazardous chemicals, and know we’ve done everything Yemen, in October 2000 and once investigatory teams working on the deployed the Trace atmospheric possible to make it safe for them to served as commander-in-chief of various aspects of the Columbia Gas Analyzer Unit to provide fly. The other is to the three people U.S. Joint Forces Command. accident. There is a Mishap mobile analytical support. currently in orbit on the Interna- Senior NASA leaders who are Investigative Team based in A Rapid Response Team from tional Space Station, who need to members of the board include G. Houston, at the Johnson Space KSC includes 80-plus engineers. have the Shuttle program fly as Scott Hubbard, director, NASA Center, comprising representatives Working with the EPA, the soon as possible.”

COLUMBIA ... organizations began to hold a series of memori- (Continued from Page 1) als for the Columbia crew, including the Feb. 6 memorial held at the Washington National of us to undertake the most challenging task in Cathedral. NASA held a memorial at Johnson the history of human kind – exploring space,” Space Center Feb. 4. Other centers held memori- KSC Director Roy Bridges told workers Feb 3. als, including KSC on Feb. 7. Soon after the accident, NASA Administrator Condolences from across the world poured Sean O’Keefe and Associate Admistrator for into the NASA space centers, to space program Space Flight Bill Readdy addressed the nation workers and to the astronaut families grieving about the disaster, offering condolences to the over the loss of the astronauts. astronaut families and detailing steps being Bridges addressed the KSC workforce Feb. 3: taken to find the cause of the orbiter breakup. “... let me share with you the comments of our That afternoon President George W. Bush spoke administrator as he boarded his plane to fly back words of comfort to the nation. to D.C. after a grueling and tragic day here at Then NASA began a series of press briefings KSC on Saturday. He said to pass on to you with Manager Ron that he felt very fortunate that he was at KSC Dittemore, Chief Flight Director Milt Heflin when this happened. Every one responded and others to express concern for the families of professionally and expertly to deal with the the fallen astronauts and to thoroughly discuss situation as we had planned and trained. ... investigations into what caused Columbia to Thank all of you who were on duty that day for The STS-107 crew exits the O&C Jan. 16: In break up during its reentry. The possibility of all you did to help me, Bill Readdy, Sean, and the front are Pilot William “Willie” McCool (left) and terrorism was quickly dismissed. The NASA Commander Rick Husband (right). Following in crew families deal with this tragedy in an the second row are Mission Specialists press conferences detailed the collection of appropriate way. It was a painful and difficult Kalpana Chawla (left) and Laurel Clark; in the Columbia over a debris field stretching over day, but your actions helped us immeasurably rear are Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon, several states, primarily Texas and Lousiana. and brought great credit to this Agency and our Payload Commander Michael Anderson and Across the nation churches and other Nation.” Mission Specialist David Brown.

color Columbia fin.pmd 6 2/25/03, 11:08 AM Feb. 14, 2003 SPACEPORT NEWS Page 7

Columbia reentry timeline

January 31, 4:39 p.m. EST Blue Team crew members Pilot William 8:17:38 a.m. EST The deorbit burn ended. Columbia was over the McCool, Mission Specialist David Brown and Mission Specialist Indian Ocean. Michael Anderson, were awakened by the song “Silver Inches” by 8:52 a.m. EST Mission Control noted three left main gear brake line Enya. The song was a general request. During the afternoon and temperature sensors showed an unusual rise in the left wheel well evening, Friday, the Blue Team crew members stowed supplies and area. gear and went about the normal routine of preparing for return. 8:53 a.m. EST A fourth left brake line strut actuator temperature Feb. 1, 1:35 a.m. EST Red Team crew members Commander Rick sensor showed a 30-40 degree rise in temperature over a five-minute Husband, Mission Specialist Kalpana Chawla, Mission Specialist period. Laurel Clark and Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon were awakened by 8:55 a.m. EST A fifth left brake line main gear sensor showed a sharp the song “Scotland the Brave” sung by The Blackwatch and the Band rise in temperature. of 51 Highland Brigade. It was a request by Mission Specialist, Laurel 8:57 a.m. EST Left wing temperature sensors failed. No further data Clark. were being received on the ground. During the early morning hours the seven-member crew of STS-107 8:59 a.m. EST Just before communication was lost with Columbia, prepared for the scheduled Shuttle landing at Kennedy Space Center. there was evidence of drag on the aerosurfaces of the left wing, They stowed supplies and gear, checked instrumentation and sensors, causing two out of four yaw steering jets in that area of the Shuttle to and aided each other in donning their launch and entry suits. Prior to fire for 1.5 seconds to counteract the increased drag. 8:00 a.m. EST Commander Rick Husband and Pilot William McCool The last words heard before Mission Control in Houston lost configured orbiter settings to prepare for the scheduled deorbit burn communication were said by Commander Rick Husband. It was maneuver. “Roger” in response to Mission Control’s request to perform a check 8:00 a.m. EST Commander Rick Husband commenced with of certain control readings. Columbia’s deorbit burn maneuver. This maneuver sets the orbiter in 9:00 a.m. EST Mission Control lost communication with Columbia the proper position for reentry into Earth’s atmosphere. and continued to monitor for a response from the crew. Then 8:15 a.m. EST The deorbit burn commenced. Columbia was over the followed the realization that Columbia and her crew of seven had Indian Ocean. been lost. Columbia’s reentry stopped short

Weather at Kennedy Space speed down from balance out the banks. side, the orbiter’s flight control Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility orbital velocity and Columbia began its system tried to correct the move- was near perfect Feb. 1 as an begin its descent back roll program on ment by rolling back to the right. overnight fog burned away in the to Earth. schedule about ten Then at 8:59 a.m., with only morning light. It typically takes an minutes before 9 a.m. slightly more than 16 minutes Having wrapped up 16 days of orbiter 25 to 30 minutes Columbia’s intended remaining until landing, communi- groundbreaking science work on from the deorbit burn to flight path took it cations were lost with Columbia. STS-107, Columbia’s crew members descend low enough to across California and The vehicle and crew had been began preparations a few minutes begin feeling the the American south- unable to overcome the problem it before 4 a.m. for landing. During effects of Earth’s west, across Texas and encountered upon reentry, a the next four and a half hours until atmosphere. Louisiana., and along problem that is under investigation. the deorbit burn, the payload bay Columbia followed that standard the coast of the Gulf of Mexico as it “There is some… missing link doors were closed for re-entry, the and reached that point, called Entry approached KSC. As it glided contributing to this event,” said flight control software known as Interface, about 28 minutes after through the upper reaches of the Ron Dittemore, Space Shuttle OPS 3 was configured for the deorbit burn. sky over Calif., however, program manager. upcoming burn, and the crew mem- Like all returning orbiters, Columbia’s landing suddenly Had Columbia’s landing contin- bers donned their orange flight and Columbia was oriented with its departed from the norm. ued as flawlessly as it began, entry suits and took their seats. wings level and its nose tilted At 8:52 a.m., a series of abnor- Commander Rick Husband would From his console in the Mission upward at an angle of about 40 mally high temperature readings have taken over manual control of Control Center in Houston, degrees from horizontal. This began to appear in rapid succes- the vehicle as it dropped below the CAPCOM Charlie Hobaugh orientation allows the thermal tiles sion in the area of the left main speed of sound. A “heading cheerfully notified the crew that that blanket the orbiter’s underbelly landing gear wheel well. Minutes alignment cylinder,” an imaginary they had been given the “go” for to absorb the bulk of the heat later, sensors indicated an increase circle at the end of the runway, the deorbit burn. generated by re-entry. in left tire pressure. would have guided Husband Shortly after 8 a.m., Columbia A program of four steep banks, Meanwhile, temperatures on toward the runway’s centerline. was maneuvered to the proper called roll maneuvers, help slow Columbia’s fuselage above the left Pilot Willie McCool would have deorbit burn attitude – a tailfirst down the orbiter during the entry wing rose 60 degrees during five deployed the landing gear. Colum- orientation facing into the direction phase. The orbiter flies in a minutes. Shortly thereafter, all left bia, America’s flagship space of travel. Just a few minutes later, at lengthened “S” pattern, starting wing temperature sensors failed Shuttle, would have glided to her 8:15 a.m., the Orbital Maneuvering with a roll to the left or right side “off-scale low.” 28th landing. System engines fired for nearly and then completing a series of As telemetry received in Mission Instead Columbia was traveling three minutes, just enough of a three roll “reversals” in which the Control began to indicate an at Mach 18 at an altitude of 207,135 deorbit burn to slow Columbia’s orbiter rolls back and forth to increased drag on Columbia’s left feet as it broke up over the skies of Central West Texas.

color Columbia fin.pmd 7 2/25/03, 11:08 AM Page 8 SPACEPORT NEWS Feb. 14, 2003 CREW ... (Continued from Page 1)

life has been my time with my family,” said Husband, who was born in Amarillo, Texas. A young girl weaving around on her bike gazing skyward at air- planes, forming dreams and goals – we all know idealistic children like this and Kulpana Chawla was one of them. When remembering her aerospace engineering fascination The STS-107 crew share a humorous moment on Launch Pad 39A during beginnings, the STS-107 mission Terminal Countdown Demonstration Test activities Dec 19. From left are specialist recalled a day from her Commander Rick Husband, Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon (the first small hometown Karnal, India. Israeli astronaut), Pilot William “Willie” McCool, Mission Specialists Her striving for perfection will Lauarel Clark and David Brown; in the foreground (back to camera) is undoubtedly motivate future Payload Commander Michael Anderson. At left are photos of the crew trailblazers as her heroes did for during training and on orbit. her: “During my life, I’ve been understood the mission’s interna- A lineage of heroes comprises inspired by explorers ... the tional reach: “I feel blessed to have Israeli astronaut and father Ilan perseverance and incredible an extended-duration spaceflight Ramon’s family tree and clearly that courage with which they carried it from the standpoint of just having trend didn’t skip his generation: “I out.” more opportunities to absorb the think it’s very, very peculiar to be Payload Commander Michael whole experience,” said McCool, the first Israeli up in space. Espe- Anderson, who along with his wife who was born in San Diego, Calif. cially because of my background. and children considered Spokane, “The whole mission seems to be But my background is kind of a Wash., home, was a selfless civil borderless in a way. ... I’m just symbol of a lot of other Israelis’ servant: “We train and try to heard say. He said, pleased that we have the opportu- background. My mother is a prepare for the things that may go ‘When you get up there, you need nity to share what we’re doing with Holocaust survivor. My father wrong to do the best we can. But, to make sure you look out the folks around the world.” fought for the independence of there’s always that unknown. And I window.’ When you look out the Mission Specialist Laurel Salton Israel, not so long ago. I was born guess it’s that unknown that I window, you’re not looking at the Clark reminded the nation: “Some in Israel and I’m kind of the proof don’t like. But, the benefits for stars or the . You’re looking things are only capable of being for them, and for the whole Israeli what we can do on orbit, the at the Earth. And, invariably people done in space. Examples of that are people that whatever we fought for science that we do and the benefits say that they think about people. looking at our Earth from that far and we’ve been going through.” we gain from exploring space are And, they invariably say they think away, and understanding the entire STS-107 exemplified the impor- well worth the risk,” he said. about the people they care about. processes of storms and weather tance of international cooperation Mission Specialist David Brown, So, I think the best advice I’ve patterns, and oceans, and coast- and science, but perhaps the born in Arlington, Va., treasured the gotten is to make sure you really lines – the best way to understand greatest footprint the mission left uniqueness of his extended appreciate how wonderful an exper- that all is from that vantage point. “ on our hearts is that we all are mission, but reflected on the joys ience it is.” A wife and mother, Clark hoped vulnerable to losing loved ones and of his Earthly life: “The best advice Pilot and father William “Willie” to inspire the young people who, grieve equally. Remembering them I have heard since I came to the McCool was also thrilled to unbeknownst to her, will continue is the best tribute we can offer for Astronaut Office was something I participate in a longer mission and her work. their ultimate sacrifice.

John F. Kennedy Space Center Special issue Spaceport News This special issue of “Spaceport News” is dedicated by the Kennedy Space Center family to Spaceport News is an official publication of the Kennedy Space Center and the memory of the Columbia is published on alternate Fridays by External Relations and Business astronauts and astronauts lost in Development in the interest of KSC civil service and contractor employees. the Challenger and Apollo 1 Contributions are welcome and should be submitted two weeks before publication to the Media Services Branch, XAE-1. E-mail submissions can be accidents. The world has sent to Katharine.Hagood-1@ksc..gov benefited and will continue to Managing editor...... Bruce Buckingham benefit because of these heroic Editor...... Kathy Hagood astronauts’ determination to fulfill Editorial support provided by InDyne Inc. Writers Group. NASA’s mission of space NASA at KSC is located on the Internet at http://www.ksc.nasa.gov exploration. USGPO: 733-133/600025

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