What you need to know about the Columbia spacecraft crash

It would not be an exaggeration to say that space science today is experiencing a golden age. In 2022, we have learned a lot about space thanks to space research conducted by different countries. In 2023, the number of things we know about space will increase even more. Because technological progress ensures the development of astronautics, especially security. But not so much, a few decades ago, working in space was very different from today. Especially in terms of security! That’s why the space shuttle Columbia crashed in 2003!

Due to the catastrophe that occurred before the eyes of the whole world, 7 cosmonauts who set off on a journey with the hope of returning home, unfortunately, could not complete this journey. The Columbia spacecraft exploded shortly after entering Earth’s atmosphere! On the other hand, the investigation after the disaster showed that the accident could have been prevented, and made an already rather sad disaster even more tragic! Here’s what you need to know about the Space Shuttle Columbia crash…

The Columbia spacecraft was launched in 1981.

The successful US space mission Apollo 11 whetted the nation’s appetite for space exploration. That is why in 1981 a new space shuttle was built, equipped with advanced technology. The space shuttle was named “Columbia” in reference to the country’s desire to explore space. In the same year, Columbia made its first space flight.

In the subsequent period, Columbia made 27 successful space expeditions. But the space shuttle tragically took off from Earth 28 times.

Columbia left Earth for the last time on January 16, 2003. A crew of 7 astronauts, Rick D. Husband, William C. McCool, Michael P. Anderson, Kalpana, David M. Brown, Laurel Clark and Ilan Ramon launched a space program called “STS-107” to conduct various experiments in space. various areas of knowledge.

However, during takeoff, part of the spacecraft crashed into one of the shuttle’s wings, causing damage to the wing. However, this unexpected development did not cause serious problems for the crew.

The crew encountered no problems for 16 days while Columbia orbited the Earth. Mission accomplished, time to go home…

The space shuttle took off to return to Earth on February 1, 2003. Unfortunately, Columbia was unable to land on her last flight. A wing section damaged during takeoff caused more serious problems during the “shuttle homecoming”.

Spacecraft Columbia exploded shortly after re-entry!

Columbia traveled home at 23 times the speed of sound! Because of this, damage to the shuttle wing increased. In the end, the Columbia spacecraft exploded shortly after re-entry into the atmosphere. All 7 crew members died, Columbia never managed to return home …

Parts of the spaceship that exploded in the atmosphere were scattered over thousands of square kilometers!

Many Americans have witnessed the shuttle hovering in the sky, causing terrible flames. On the other hand, parts of the shuttle were scattered across several US states. More than 25 thousand people participated in search and rescue operations.

During the research, more than 84 thousand debris belonging to the space shuttle was discovered. But these parts made up only 40 percent of the shuttle! The rest of the fragments were never found.

Investigations after the terrible tragedy showed that the accident could have been prevented!

Thus, if NASA had ignored the damage the Space Shuttle suffered during takeoff, the 7 astronauts in Columbia could have returned to Earth. However, the authorities considered that the damage to the shuttle’s wing was so minor that it could be neglected, and informed the crew of this. However, if the damage to the shuttle had been taken seriously, the astronauts could have removed it, and this terrible tragedy would not have happened …

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