five of them. Only two had been before. But it shouldn't matter - at that point of re-entry it was under computer control. They think it went wrong during takeoff - one of the external tanks hit a wing when they dropped it, possibly damaging the heat sheilding. At the temperatures created when going 12,500 mph slight damage could have caused something to fail, and then it was just a chain reaction. My question is why did the go ahead with renentry when they knew there had been problems on takeoff . . .

Still, about the rest of it, I am still at a loss for words.

figures, the first time had to be the last for those. its sad that our country had to have to this happen right when everything else seems to be going wrong too. one thing that was going right was the space program for quite a long time... now not evn it is

This is a very sad day for both the United States and Israel as seven brave astronauts onboard the space shuttle Columbia were lost in the pursuit of scientific progress. Our hearts go out to their families and the greater family of dedicated NASA employees who support the shuttle missions and FIRST teams across the country. Let us rededicate ourselves to making this the best FIRST competition ever, while remembering the crew of Columbia.

I just got word of this terrible tragedy, and I am nearly speechless. On behalf of team 247, I would like to send our thoughts and prayers to all those touched by this tragedy. This is a time where people should be there for eachother, and team 247 would be more than willing to offer its assistance to any and all teams with ties to NASA. As for those brave souls who lost their lives today, their lives came to an end while they were doing what they loved, and they should be considered heros, who lost their lives while trying to further our nations space program. They will not be forgotten.

A tragedy
 

Team 1135 would like to express its condolences to all of those who have suffered from this tragedy. I do hope that the manned space program will continue, otherwise, it would be an even greater tragedy to end the program and have their lives be spent in vain.

My condolences to the families of the crew.
You're in my thoughts and prayers.



I wish that they would replace the space shuttles. They have outlived their usefulness. NASA needs more money so we can have a space vehicle that is modern and safe.

Congress will hopefully realize this.

I, as well as all the members of Team 871 express our deepest sympathy for the family and friends of those lost in this tragic loss of the space shuttle Columbia on this first day of February, 2003.

This accident touches me more than most. Ever since I was really little, like 5, I always was fascinated by space flight. My birthday was four days after the loss of the Challanger, so it hits home even more. I do hope that President Bush doesn't let this slow down space travel, but improve research for it to make it safer and better than it ever was before.

Actually, the space shuttle is supposed to be good for 100 missions. This particular shuttle is the "oldest" with 28 I believe. So it is just over1/4 of the way through its life span. Yes they need new vehicles, but the space shuttles are still good for now.....

No. For one thing they have amazing safety precautions and do a lot of upkeap on these shuttles. Plus they are not really that old. The average B-52 that the military uses is twice the age of these shuttles.

Once again, my thoughts and prayers go out to the families of the crew.






It says in here it is possible there may be no more shuttle launches. Even though it is stressed as remote, I believe the shuttle needs to be replaced.

http://www.time.com/time/nation/arti...418462,00.html

Even if they are "good" for that long though, they are old.
B-52s aren't exposed to the hazards of space travel, liftoff or reentry, and so are still viable.

I speak for my entire team, and indeed all the Canadain teams, when I say that we feel also feel the prefound sadness of this terrible terrible tragidy.

To the men an women of the Columbia, their familes and friends: We are truly sorry for your loss.

NASA is a tremendous organization, and I am positive that it will land on its feet as it always does.

Once again, our sympathies to you.

This was the Columbia's 27th mission. As expected, they now say that they should have retired it long ago.
Profiles:
Name: Rick D. Husband

Position: Commander

History: Husband, 45, made his second trip into space. The U.S. Air Force colonel and mechanical engineer piloted a shuttle flight in 1999, which included the first docking with the international space station.
~
Name: William C. McCool

Position: Pilot

History: The 40-year-old former test pilot made his first foray into space. The U.S. Navy commander and Naval Academy graduate was responsible for maneuvering the shuttle as part of several experiments.
~
Name: Michael P. Anderson

Position: Payload Commander

History: Anderson, 42, went into orbit once before, a 1998 shuttle flight that docked with the Russian space station Mir. The U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel and physicist was responsible for the shuttle science mission.
~
Name: David M. Brown

Position: Mission Specialist

History: The U.S. Navy captain made his first flight into space. Brown, 46, an aviator and flight surgeon, was working on many experiments, including numerous biological ones.
~
Name: Kalpana Chawla

Position: Mission Specialist

History: Born in India in 1961, Chawla earned an aerospace engineering doctorate from the University of Colorado in Boulder. Chawla, who has logged more than 375 hours in space, was the prime robotic arm operator on a shuttle flight in 1997.
~
Name: Laurel Clark

Position: Mission Specialist

History: Clark, 41, a U.S. Navy commander and flight surgeon, was making her first flight into space. A medical school graduate of the University of Wisconsin, Madison, Clark was taking part in a variety of biological experiments.
~
Name: Ilan Ramon

Position: Payload Specialist

History: Ramon, 47, is the first Israeli astronaut. A colonel and former fighter pilot in the Israeli air force, he saw combat experience in the Yom Kippur War in 1973 and the Lebanon War in 1982.
~~~~~(All profiles courtesy of CNN.com)

Our thoughts, hearts, and prayers go out to all those affected by this tragic event.

I actually woke up to this at about 9:30AM. I misread my calendar and called my workplace to make sure of when I had to be there. The person who answered the phone told me I had to be there in ten minutes; as I said, I misread my calendar. He told me not to worry about it, though, since it wasn't anyone's worst problem. I asked what was going on, he said, "Turn on CNN. I'll see you later. *click*" Thus, I was pretty scared. What a horrible thing...I don't know what else to say.

By the way, why did they take the NASA channel off the air? It provided 24/7/365 space coverage, even if that only meant watching everyone work in mission control. What happened to that?

Condolences
 

My condolences on behalf of Team 891, the recipient of one of the NASA grants from the Chesapeake Regional this year.

Aaron Knight
Webmaster, Team 891
Syracuse, NY

I am overwhelmed with grief and bitterness in these times of turmoil. At this time, I am reminded of the ineptitude and willingness to compromise of the federal government in their design and construction of the shuttle. If they had spent just $5 billion more in their development, this would not have happened and Challenger would not have happened, for there would be no external tank for parts to fall from, or O-Rings in SRBs to blow up the Shuttle. Because of their want to save a measly $5 billion, out of the trillions that they spend, quality was compromised and those people died. Politics killed those people, and the greatest tragedy was that no one spoke up before now.

I sincerely hope that President Bush does not use this as an excuse to "suspend" the manned space program and devote the funds to his war chest. If he does, that would really dishonor the memory of all those who mave died in space exploration, and who have pushed for peace and greater understanding.

Team 1135 would like to express its condolences towards all those who have suffered from thie tragedy. You will all be in our prayerswould like to express its condolences to all of those who have suffered from this tragedy. I do hope that the manned space program will continue, otherwise, it would be an even greater tragedy to end the program and have their lives be spent in vain.

Yes, but the average B-52 doesnt have to break escape speed every time it flies and it doesnt have to worry about extremely high temperatures trying to burn up the outer hull...

Challenger & Columbia gone...

Atlantis, Discovery, and Endeavor still here...

Maybe it is time to scrap the shuttle and bring in something new


My thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and the families of the crew.

:(