The Columbia Space Shuttle Disaster

The Columbia Space Shuttle disaster occurred on February 1, 2003, when the shuttle disintegrated during re-entry into Earth's atmosphere, killing all seven crew members. The accident was caused by damage to the shuttle’s heat shield, which happened during launch when a piece of foam insulation struck the left wing. This damage allowed hot gases to penetrate and destroy the internal structure upon re-entry, leading to the shuttle breaking apart. The tragedy highlighted the importance of thorough safety inspections and understanding damage, prompting changes in NASA’s procedures to improve future spaceflight safety.