Final Moments Before the Columbia Space Shuttle Accident
EmailABC News’ Gina Sunseri reports: 45 Seconds. That’s how much time the seven astronauts on Columbia had from the time they realized there was trouble with the space shuttle until they lost consciousness. The report does conclude by saying there is nothing the crew could have done to save themselves in that time. ABC News has obtained a draft of the report being issued by NASA today outlining the final minutes of the doomed space shuttle Columbia, and what its crew knew, and how they responded. Commander Rick Husband did attempt to save Columbia but it was a futile effort. Given the speed the crew cabin broke up it was impractical to expect the commander or pilot to take control of a vehicle that was literally falling apart around them. Columbia’s astronauts died Feb. 1, 2003, when the shuttle broke up on re-entry. An investigating commission later determined that chunks of insulation shed from the tank during takeoff damaged Columbia’s left wing, triggering the accident. Killed were Air Force Col. Rick Husband, 45, mission commander; Navy Cmdr. William C. McCool, 41, who was the shuttle pilot; mission specialists Kalpana Chawla, 41; Navy Capt. David M. Brown, 46; Navy Cmdr. Laurel Clark, 41; and payload specialists Air Force Lt. Col. Michael P. Anderson, 43; and Israeli Air Force Col. Ilan Ramon, 48, Israel’s first astronaut. Why issue this report so many years after the Columbia accident? It will help spacecraft designers who are working on the next generation Orion spacecraft design a vehicle that is safer and will include escape options for a crew.
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“Navy Cmdr. Clark, 41″…I think it is rather sloppy reporting by Gina Sunseri or perhaps by the person who actually did the posting of this article to your website to leave out Laurel Clark’s first name when it would be so easy to find on the net, if it was noticed at all that there was no first name for Commander Clark.
Posted by: Jan Buntyn | December 30, 2008, 1:19 pm 1:19 pm
We are in total agreement with original comment concerning missing first name for Commander Laurel Clark and, in addition in such a short notice, all of these seven names should have been stacked, one under the other, rather than run in line, as a more correct and proper tribute.
Posted by: Allen Anthony | December 30, 2008, 1:43 pm 1:43 pm
Good article. I always appreciate having a link to primary documents (the NASA report itself, in this case) so I can interpret for myself. Of course, reporters have to put up with a lot of whining from those who don’t realize that news articles are constantly revised from the orginal version. I would rather have a time-sensitive, yet often-incomplete report than to wait until someone arbitrarily decides there is enough info to release the article. Thanks!
Posted by: Raederwulf | December 30, 2008, 2:44 pm 2:44 pm
I agree this is another in a trend of almost “non-articles” appearing via our supposed “news” reporting media lately.
However even more oblique is the comment about why this NASA report is coming out:
“Why issue this report so many years after the Columbia accident? It will help spacecraft designers who are working on the next generation Orion spacecraft design a vehicle that is safer and will include escape options for a crew.”
That statement is virtual baloney. The designs are worlds apart. Metal has been already cut for Orion. The STS orbiter had no valid system that could be designated “safety” or “escape”. Orion by design will have safety abilities through virtually all mission phases. The best “lesson” that can be translated BACK into Orion is “build upon valid systems and don’t abandone such a knowledge base.” In a USA that truly cared about rectifying erroneous designs, the STS system should have taken an additonal couple of year hit and made revisions to the crew module to allow all mission phase escape or emergency return. Oh well, it’ll all be perfected with the new President….
Posted by: BP | December 30, 2008, 4:21 pm 4:21 pm
What a cheat shot??? Oh well, it’ll all be perfected with the new President….
Posted by: Dr. Sterling Lands II | December 30, 2008, 7:34 pm 7:34 pm
Is it just me? Why is Christa McAuliffe pictured but not mentioned? There are 7 people mentioned—7 people in the photo but she’s no where in the article. I’m afraid I have to agree that this is a non-article…poorly written, poorly researched..only here to take up room.
Posted by: Candy Payne | December 30, 2008, 7:52 pm 7:52 pm
Ah…and yet another example of poor research..My mistake..wrong tragedy..My apologies!
Posted by: Candy Payne | December 30, 2008, 7:55 pm 7:55 pm
Godspeed Columbia 28. Rest in Peace and Honor.
Posted by: David | December 30, 2008, 9:54 pm 9:54 pm
~ All the GOP has is cheap shots & Sour Grapes ~ The big stinking mess we are in is all Bush’s doing, So ~ don’t lie to yourself it cheapens you & makes your positions a JOKE ~
Posted by: Jim | December 31, 2008, 11:51 am 11:51 am
This was very useful because I needed this for a report. Keep up the good stories!!!
Posted by: Joe | March 31, 2009, 11:38 am 11:38 am