spacetoday.net: Report: Columbia crew lived one minute after last contact

Posted: Wed, Jul 16, 2003, 2:47 PM ET (1847 GMT)
STS-107 patch (NASA)

Shuttle investigators believe the STS-107 crew lived for about one minute after radio contact with the shuttle Columbia was lost during reentry, the New York Times reported Wednesday. The report, citing sources at NASA and the Columbia Accident Investigation Board, said that the crew was likely alive until at least the time power was lost to the data recorded recovered from the debris. That power loss took place about 50 seconds after the last partial voice transmission from shuttle commander Rick Husband. Around the time the power was lost, the fuselage of the shuttle broke apart, although pieces of the shuttle had been breaking off in the minute leading up to the final breakup. NASA has been very circumspect in disclosing any details about the final moments of the crew, including exactly what caused their deaths, out of respect for their families. Some details may be disclosed in the future if investigators believe it could help save lives on future missions.