Columbia

[Boomerang]

I agree and it sickens me to think that somebody might try to seel a piece of the shuttle on ebay. Unfrtunately i've already seen something that is most likely profiteering. As i said in my last post i was at the NASA Langley Visitor center all day today. Our gift shop has had the STS-107 patch for sale for several months unable to sell them because it was by a cheap supplier who didnt make a verry high quality product. I admit i bought one for my own collection today but someone this afternoon went in the gift shop and bought the remaining 30 patches all at once. I'm guessing he's probably going to sell them although i dont know that for a fact few people would buy that many for themselves. our Educator resource center almost went through all the crew photos today and will most likely be gone before the museum closes today. We were all in shock and it was noticeable.

[Boomerang]

I just recieved this in my email from NASA Public Affairs its the official statement from mission control on the events of today.



Robert Mirelson
Headquarters, Washington
Feb. 1, 2003

RELEASE: 03-030

NASA STATEMENT ON LOSS OF COMMUNICATIONS WITH COLUMBIA

A Space Shuttle contingency has been declared in Mission Control, Houston,
as a result
of the loss of communication with the Space Shuttle Columbia at
approximately 9 a.m. EST Saturday as it descended toward a landing at the
Kennedy Space Center, Fla. It was scheduled to touchdown at 9:16 a.m. EST.

Communication and tracking of the shuttle was lost at 9 a.m. EST at an
altitude
of about 203,000 feet in the area above north central Texas. At the time
communications
were lost. The shuttle was traveling approximately 12,500 miles per hour
(Mach 18). No communication and tracking information were received in
Mission Control after that time.

Search and rescue teams in the Dallas-Fort Worth and in portions of East
Texas have been alerted. Any debris that is located in the area that may be
related to the Space Shuttle contingency should be avoided and may be
hazardous as a result of toxic propellants used aboard the shuttle. The
location of any possible debris should immediately be reported to local
authorities.

Flight controllers in Mission Control have secured all information, notes
and data pertinent to today's entry and landing by Space Shuttle Columbia
and continue to methodically proceed through contingency plans.

More information will be released as it becomes available.

-end-

[Benji]

I still can't believe that their still doing news coverage of the event. They've run out of things to say, and I'd think that their mouths would be dry from repeating things over and over again. The graphics still say 'breaking news', too.

Its terrible that such a successful mission had to end in this horrible fasion. I hate to think of Columbia, the first shuttle, born in 1979, first orbited in '81, and now laying in pieces in Texas.

[Vincent]

Yes...the Great Birds certainly are an endangered species...

Only three left in the world.

[Boomerang]

Well unfortunately the profiteering has definately begun. I went to Ebay to see how bad its gotten. Anything and everything relating to columbia in any way is up for sale. To give you an idea the mission patch like i bought today ranged from a price of $.99 to $200. I did see that the 200 dollar one said theyd donate all the money from the auction to any fund set up for the crew families. They also had a piece of debris listed for $10,000 but thankfullt Ebay had pulled it. Its sad to see this kind of thing happen and cheapen the memory of 7 heroes.

[Boomerang]

Ok here is another bulletin from NASA PAO i will continue posting them as they come in.

Robert Mirelson
Headquarters, Washington

Eileen Hawley
Johnson Space Center, Houston

Feb. 1, 2003
5 p.m. EST


RELEASE: 03-033

NASA ASKS FOR HELP WITH COLUMBIA INVESTIGATION

NASA has established a telephone hotline and electronic mail address for the
public to use for reporting information that may help investigators studying
today's Space Shuttle mishap.

Anyone who discovers debris from the accident or who has film or video
evidence that may be of value to the investigation team is urged to use
these contacts. Please avoid contact with any debris, because it may be
hazardous as a result of toxic propellants aboard the Shuttle.

Telephone reports should be directed to the following number:

281/483-3388

Text reports and images should be e-mailed to:

[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>

The e-mail address is:
[email protected] <mailto:[email protected]>

All debris is U.S. Government property and is critical to the investigation
of the mishap. All debris from the accident is to be left alone and reported
to Government authorities. Unauthorized persons found in possession of
accident debris will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.


-end-

[Boomerang]

OK here is another PAO release this one has atleast some of Sean O'keefes statement.

Robert Mirelson
Headquarters, Washington


Feb. 1, 2003
4 p.m. EST

RELEASE: 03-032

STATEMENT BY NASA ADMINISTRATOR SEAN O'KEEFE

"This is indeed a tragic day for the NASA family, for the families of the
astronauts who flew on STS-107, and likewise is tragic for the Nation.

"Immediately upon indication of a loss of communications from STS-107, at a
little after 9:00 a.m. this morning, we began our contingency plan to
preserve all the information relative to the flight activities.

"I immediately advised the President and the Secretary of Homeland Security,
Tom Ridge, at the point after landing was due to have occurred at 9:16 a.m.,
and spoke to them very briefly to advise them that we had lost contact with
the Shuttle orbiter, Columbia, and STS-107 crew. They offered, the President
specifically offered, full and immediate support to determine the
appropriate steps to be taken.

"We then spent the next hour and a half working through the details and
information of what we have received and Bill Readdy, Associate
Administrator for the NASA Office of Space Flight, will walk you through the
specifics of those operational and technical issues.

"We met with the family members of the astronauts who were here at the
Kennedy Space Center and are soon to be departing back to the Johnson Space
Center in Houston. The President has called and spoken to the family members
to express our deepest national regrets. We have assured them that we will
begin the process immediately to recover their loved ones and understand the
cause of this tragedy.

"We have no indication that the mishap was caused by anything or anyone on
the ground.

"We assembled a Mishap Investigation Team at a point past the stage that the
orbiter was to have landed here at Kennedy Space Center a little after 9:30.
That team, in turn, is coordinating on a regular basis on all the facts that
are pertaining to this from the Johnson Space Center with help from a Rapid
Response Team from here at the Kennedy Space Center, as well participants
from the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

"In addition to these internal efforts, we have appointed a Mishap
Investigation Board, an external group of people who are independent from
NASA who will be charged with the responsibility to look at all the
information that was immediately locked down right after the absence of
communications.

"Each of these individuals are Safety and Mission Assurance related
officials in other departments of the Federal government, from the Air
Force, the Navy, the Department of Transportation, and across the federal
expanse. This Investigation Team will be chaired by an individual who is
external to the federal agencies and will have the responsibility to
coordinate all the information from an external view.

"So we'll be conducting both the internal activity as well as the external
review immediately to ascertain the causes and circumstances under which
this tragedy occurred.

"We have pulled together all the federal agencies and local governments as
well. I have been in discussion several times this morning with Secretary
Tom Ridge. The effort is under way to coordinate an understanding of exactly
where the orbiter path had taken it from West Texas towards the Kennedy
Space Center here in Florida and to make sure that the material on the
ground is secured so that the investigation can begin promptly.

"We would urge people who believe they have found any material to stay away
from it and to please contact local officials. The local first responder
groups for emergency services have been authorized and directed by Secretary
Tom Ridge to assist in any way. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is
coordinating that effort on behalf of the Department of Homeland Security.

"I was here this morning with the families of the astronauts and their
friends. It started out as a pretty happy morning, as we awaited the landing
of STS-107. We had highly anticipated their return because we couldn't wait
to congratulate them for their extraordinary performance and their excellent
effort on this very important science mission.

"They dedicated their lives to pushing scientific challenges for all of us
here on Earth. They dedicated themselves to that objective and did it with a
happy heart, willingly and with great enthusiasm.

"The loss of this valued crew is something we will never be able to get
over. We have assured the families that we will do everything, everything
we can possibly do to guarantee that we work our way through this horrific
tragedy.
We ask the members of the media to honor that too. Please respect their
privacy and please understand the tragedy that they are going through at
this time. We will help the media assure that this will be the case as well.


"We trust the prayers of the Nation will be with them and with their
families. A more courageous group of people you could not have hoped to
know- an extraordinary group of astronauts who gave their lives-and the
families of these crewmembers. They knew exactly the risks. And never, ever
did we want to see a circumstance in which this could happen.

"We diligently dedicate ourselves every single day to assuring these things
don't occur. And when they do we have to act responsibly, accountably and
that is exactly what we will do."

For more information on the Internet:

www.nasa.gov




-end-

[Smiley]

She was my favorite.

[monkeynautt]

My mom doesn't understand what this accident means to me. I feel a deep sense of loss and sorrow for the families. To me, this is a big deal. Living in Canada we do not have a real big space program. We rely on the U.S. space program to launch our astronauts and other things. People here do not really understand this. Because there was no Canadian on board none of the mission got any coverage. It wasn't until today that they acknowledged the flight. The news coverage stopped early in the afternoon. I've been watching CNN and NBC all day because there was no great Canadian coverage. Where I live in Canada (Alberta) the main industries are oil and agriculture. The space program means little to others. I'm so glad I have all of you guys to talk to about today and hear your thoughts. It makes me feel less alone out here.

[Smiley]

it's always tragic to lose lives and friends. Statisically it was time. I hate statistics with a passion, but you know as well as me for something a sophisticated as the shuttle system it really is a wonder that it works. We have been very fortunate over the past missions to have been a sucessfull with all the equipment. It is terrible and I for one will remember this day as I have Challenger. But we must push on with the program. I fell the Crew would have wanted that. Bad things happen. It really sucks when they do but they still happen.

For the crew of STS-107 You are in my prayers. May your final flight home be a peaceful one.
God Bless

Smiley

[Boomerang]

Well Columbia will always have a special place in my heart. The first year i went to space camp that was the shuttle simulator we used. I know that doesnt mean much in the big scheme of things but it still makes me feel like i have a connection to Columbia. It sems ironic now that Space Camp recently removed Columbia from the training center floor.

[Smiley]

I know what you mean man. She was the first sim I had the pleasure of training kids in.

[Boomerang]

Today at the museum i realised some changes will probably be made in the near future we had 3 things with Columbias name on display. We have a model of the orbiter in our case showing aviation development, A verry large model of columbia on the launch pad upstairs in our space gallery, and a shuttle landing simulator that has the name Columbia painted on the side. We also have a model of the Challenger on our rocket row case of models that im not sure if it was meant as a tribute or was just a carry over from the old visitor center. Noone really knows if the names will be changed on the models or the landing simulator i guess we'll have to wait and see.

[monkeynautt]

As I watch CNN it is still hard to believe that this has happened. It reminds me of 9/11 where it is one of those things that you never want to happen. It's just so hard to believe.

[Boomerang]

I think we all share your feeling monkeynautt. I was 6 when challenger exploded and i remember it like it was yesterday. That was the same feeling that i have today. Total shock and disbelief i dont think there are words enough to describe my feelings today.

[WesL]

Evening everyone.

I have to say that it has been a long day for the Space Camp and U.S. Space & Rocket Center crew. I was in Chattanooga, TN visiting another museum when I woke up and turned on the TV to CNN like I always do. Miles O'Brien was on his cell phone and said that they were monitoring the landing of STS-107 and showed a picture of mission control and I noticed that the Capcom kept calling out for Columbia. While I know that they go through a comm blackout, I got worried when I heard "Houston - Columbia, UHF comm check" I had remembered way back in my mind someone telling me that using UHF on re-entry was rare until they were on the ground. The news came that WFAA had video and as I saw the 3 contrails I knew that it was over.

Within hours of Columbia crumbling to pieces over Texas the Space Center became filled with media. When I left this afternoon there were media from Atlanta, Birmingham, Montgomery and Huntsville.

The front lobby bears a crew picture draped in a black cloth. I truly is a bad day for the space program. My heart goes out to the families and everyone involved in the space program.

[Boomerang]

I turned it on a few minutes before landing but when the landing time passed with no coverage starting and nothing saying the landing was delayed i knew something must have gone verry wrong. As i have said i volunteer at the NASA Langley Visitor center in Hampton. And our museum got a wreath of red white and blue flowers that was placed next to our crew photo beside our Television that provides public coverage on NASA select. And most likely more is to come to comemorate the 7 heroes killed today.

[monkeynautt]

I slept in since today was Saturday and when I woke up I started watching TLC. After about five minutes I got bored so I went to channel 2 - a local news station. They had Marc Garneau (former Canadian astronaut and current president of the Canadian Space Agency). He was talking about how future missions with Canadians would be affected but I didn't know what they were talking about. There was no headline about what it was. They then started asking questions in French but they weren't being translated and I don't speak french. I switched to NBC. They were showing video of the shuttle going over texas as it was breaking up. I was in total shock. For the next five hours I switched between NBC and CNN. I had to go out and ever since I got back I've had it on CNN. I was too young for Challenger but I will never forget Columbia.

[ApolloXI]

Yes...the Great Birds certainly are an endangered species...

Only three left in the world.

There is one also in Russia. But they have never used it it is just sitting collecting snow and dust.

[monkeynautt]

I was just on ebay and it makes me mad that people try to take a profit from a tragedy like this. There are many patches for STS-107 and many of them had a starting bid of $75. It is unbelievable that some people could do this to the crew that we lost so tragically.