Columbia Disaster

The Columbia disaster refers to the tragic accident that occurred on February 1, 2003, when NASA's Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated upon re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. The shuttle was returning from a 16-day scientific mission, but damage sustained during launch, when a piece of foam insulation broke off and struck the left wing, led to the failure. All seven astronauts aboard were lost. This disaster raised significant concerns about shuttle safety and prompted major changes in NASA's approach to space exploration and risk management. The event highlighted the challenges and dangers of human spaceflight.