Columbia Accident Investigation Board

The Columbia Accident Investigation Board was a team formed to determine why NASA’s Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated upon re-entry in 2003, resulting in the loss of all seven crew members. They thoroughly examined the accident, identifying that a pieces of foam insulation had struck the shuttle during launch, damaging its heat shield. This damage allowed hot gases to penetrate during re-entry, causing the shuttle to break apart. The board recommended safety improvements to prevent similar accidents, emphasizing better inspection, communication, and risk management practices to ensure astronaut safety in future missions.