The Columbia Seven - Ten Years

At approximately 8:59:32AM EST on February 1, 2003 - 15 days, 22:20:32 into her mission - Space Shuttle Columbia (OV-102) was destroyed on reentry due to catastrophic damage suffered during the launch of STS-107 sixteen days before on January 16. All seven members of her crew perished.

Michael Phillip Anderson

Payload Commander/Mission Specialist 3

Lieutenant Colonel, United States Air Force

David McDowell Brown

Mission Specialist 1

Captain, United States Navy

Kalpana Chawla

Flight Engineer/Mission Specialist 2

Civilian

Laurel Blair Salton Clark

Mission Specialist 4

Captain, United States Navy

Richard Douglas Husband

Commander

Colonel, United States Air Force

William Cameron McCool

Pilot

Commander, United States Navy

Ilan Ramon

Payload Specialist 1

Colonel, Israeli Air Force

The cause in which they died will continue. Mankind is led into the darkness beyond our world by the inspiration of discovery and the longing to understand. Our journey into space will go on. 

In the skies today we saw destruction and tragedy. Yet farther than we can see there is comfort and hope. In the words of the prophet Isaiah, "Lift your eyes and look to the heavens. Who created all these? He who brings out the starry hosts one by one and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing." 

-- President George W. Bush, February 1, 2003

May His peace and grace be with the families of the Columbia Seven today, and may we all be thankful and in remembrance of all who have given their lives carrying mankind into the heavens.