"In a community that frequently commemorates the milestones and achievements made possible through the teamwork and contributions of so many, today is a different kind of observance, a day to recognize and honor those who lost their lives in pursuit of knowledge, and those losses are heavy," said Kennedy Space Center Director Janet Petro.
NASA and the world lost seven brave explorers twenty years ago, on Feb. 1, 2003, when shuttle Columbia broke apart during re-entry. Crew members aboard were Rick D. Husband, mission commander; William C. McCool, pilot; Michael P. Anderson, payload commander; Kalpana Chawla and Laurel B. Clark, mission specialists; and Ilan Ramon, payload specialist from the Israeli Space Agency.
Columbia launched on Jan. 16, 2003, at 10:39 a.m. EST from Kennedy's Launch Complex 39A, carrying the seven astronauts. The shuttle's payload bay contained the first Spacehab Research Double Module. The 16-day mission was dedicated to a mix of life and physical sciences. On Feb. 1, 2003, during a descent for landing at Kennedy at an altitude of 203,000 feet over north central Texas, a breach in the thermal protection system on Columbia's left wing resulted in the loss of the vehicle and crew.
"This year marks the 20th anniversary of the loss of the crew of Columbia during re-entry of STS-107," Petro said. "For some, that seems like a lifetime. For others, it may seem like a moment. But for our agency, it's a time that lives here in the present-shaping our culture, informing our decisions, and helping us forge the way ahead."
The ceremony also honored the crew members of Apollo 1 and space shuttle Challenger.
"Why do we have a NASA Day of Remembrance?" said Bob Cabana, NASA associate administrator. "It's to honor our fallen comrades. But, more importantly, it's so we do not forget hard lessons learned from Apollo, Challenger, and Columbia. I'm willing to bet that half of the NASA workforce wasn't here when we launched the last shuttle mission. It is so important that they learn these lessons so that they are not repeated again."
Immediately following the ceremony, Sheryl Chafee, Astronaut Memorial Foundation (AMF) Board of Directors chairperson, accompanied by Janet Petro and Bob Cabana, placed a wreath in front of the Space Mirror Memorial, followed by one minute of silence. A bell was rung as the names of each fallen astronaut were read. Guests and the general public in attendance were invited to pay their respects by placing flowers on the fence in front of the memorial.
"We take time to pause and reflect, to remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, but also to inspire us to future human exploration," said Thad Altman, AMF president and CEO. "And to remember all those individuals who made all this possible-engineers, astronauts, administrators. We take this opportunity to reflect on our successes and to be inspired for future missions."
This year's ceremony was hosted by the Astronaut Memorial Foundation, which was founded after the shuttle Challenger accident in 1986 to honor the sacrifices of fallen astronauts each year, as well as inspire future generations through hands-on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics learning activities.
The AMF also built and maintains the Space Mirror Memorial, a 42-foot-high by 50-foot-wide granite monument that displays the names of the fallen astronauts from Apollo 1, shuttles Challenger and Columbia, as well as others who have lost their lives while on NASA missions or in training. In 1991, the memorial was dedicated as a national memorial by Congress and President George H.W. Bush.
Related Links
STS Columbia at NASA
Military Space News at SpaceWar.com
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