It is still unclear what exactly happened to the Columbia space shuttle when it disintegrated upon re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere in 2003. However, it is now known that NASA was aware of potential damage to the shuttle’s wing before the fateful launch.
There is no definitive answer to this question, as the information and data collected by NASA during the Columbia space shuttle mission was inconclusive as to the extent of the damage sustained by the spacecraft. While it is clear that NASA was aware of the potential for damage to the shuttle, the agency did not have enough evidence to determine the full extent of the damage or its potential impact on the safe return of the Columbia crew.
Did NASA find the bodies of the Columbia crew?
The debris from the Space Shuttle Columbia was reported from east Texas through southern Louisiana. Recovery crews and local volunteers worked to locate and identify the debris. On the first day of the disaster searchers began finding remains of the astronauts. Within three days of the crash, some remains from every crew member had been recovered.
The dilemma for mission managers is that they simply didn’t know if the space shuttle was damaged The doomed astronauts were not told of the risk. One of the most dramatic moments after the space shuttle Columbia crashed came when entry Flight Director Leroy Cain ordered the doors locked and computer data saved.
What did NASA conclude was the cause of the Columbia disaster
NASA’s decision to suspend space shuttle flights for more than two years following the Columbia disaster was a prudent one. An investigation board determined that a large piece of foam fell from the shuttle’s external tank and breached the spacecraft wing, causing the Columbia to break up upon re-entry. NASA took steps to prevent a repeat of the accident, and the space shuttle program resumed in 2005.
The Columbia disaster had a ripple effect on the space program. In addition to the obvious tragedy of the loss of life, the disaster also resulted in the grounding of the remaining three space shuttles and the assembly of the International Space Station (ISS) in Earth orbit was also suspended. This had a significant impact on the space program and the future of space exploration.
What were the last words of the Columbia crew?
The final words from Columbia’s crew came at 8:59:32 am when Husband, presumably responding to a tire alarm acknowledgement from mission control, said “Roger, uh, buh” At that point, the shuttle was nearly 38 miles above Central Texas and traveling at 18 times the speed of sound. The shuttle then broke up, and all seven astronauts on board were killed.
The settlement was made to the families of the astronauts who died in the Columbia space shuttle disaster. The amount was $266 million, and it was kept secret for more than 2 1/2 years.
What happened to the bodies of the Columbia astronauts?
It is believed that the largest chunk of debris from Columbia may have fallen into the Toledo Bend Reservoir along the border between Louisiana and Texas. Authorized federal officials will eventually remove the debris to Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana.
Unfortunately, the remains of some astronauts have been found. A charred torso, thigh bone and skull with front teeth were among the remains recovered. An empty astronaut’s helmet also could contain some genetic traces. We extend our deepest sympathies to the families of the deceased.
What were the last words of the Columbia space shuttle
The last recorded transmission from Mission Commander Rick Husband came at 08:59:32 Eastern Standard Time. The transmission was cut off in mid-word and the cause is unknown. Commander Husband and the rest of the crew are presumed lost.
The loss of the Columbia space shuttle was a tragic event for NASA and the nation. According to a detailed analysis by NASA, the shuttle was doomed from the moment the wing was damaged, most likely during ascent. There was nothing that could have been done to reduce the stress of re-entry enough to save the ship and its seven astronauts. NASA did everything it could to try to save the shuttle and its crew, but sadly, it was not to be. We will never forget the brave astronauts who lost their lives in the Columbia disaster.
How fast was Columbia going when it broke up?
There was a problem with the flight 817 seconds after take-off when insulation broke off the external fuel tank and hit Columbia. Columbia was travelling at high speeds (over 2649 kilometers per hour) and was very high up (over 20,000 meters). This incident caused damage to Columbia and ultimately led to the loss of the spacecraft and crew.
It is heart-wrenching to think about the families of the astronauts who lost their loved ones in the Columbia tragedy. I can’t imagine what they are going through, but my heart goes out to them. I hope that the independent investigation led by retired Navy admiral will help to bring some closure to this tragedy.
Where are Columbia crew buried
The Columbia Memorial Act was signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2003, authorizing the secretary of the Army to place a memorial to the Columbia crew in Arlington National Cemetery. The memorial was dedicated on February 1, 2004.
The loss of Columbia and her crew was a tragedy. The physical cause of the loss was a breach in the thermal protection system on the leading edge of the left wing, caused by a piece of insulating foam that separated from the left section of the double strut of the external fuel tank. An investigation determined that the foam piece hit the wing at a speed of approximately 590 miles per hour, and that the resulting hole in the wing allowed hot gases to enter the wing during re-entry and caused the destruction of the vehicle. The crew of Columbia were all highly trained and experienced astronauts, and they were performing their duties in a highly professional manner. The accident was a great loss to the nation, and the crew will be remembered for their courage and dedication to their jobs.
Did NASA pay the families of the Columbia?
The Challenger disaster was a devastating event for the country, and the families of the astronauts who were killed deserve compensations. The government and Morton Thiokol have agreed to pay out $77 million in cash and annuities to the families, which will hopefully help them to move on from this tragedy.
The newspaper obtained documents that showed NASA paid out $266 million to families of astronauts who died in the Columbia space shuttle disaster in 2003. This is the first time that the full extent of the payments has been made public. The report Sunday said the payments were made to 82 families, including $12 million to the family of the shuttle’s commander, Rick Husband. The newspaper said it was not clear how the other payments were apportioned.
Conclusion
Nasa did not know that columbia was damaged until after it had already entered the atmosphere and begun to break apart.
There is no definitive answer to this question, as the data regarding the extent of the damage to Columbia is inconclusive. However, it is clear that NASA was aware that the shuttle was damaged, and that they were working to assess the situation and determine the best course of action. Ultimately, the decision was made to attempt to land the shuttle, but communication was lost before this could be achieved.
