Report: Columbia crew lived one minute after last contact
Posted: Wed, Jul 16, 2003, 2:47 PM ET (1847 GMT)
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.
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.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Space Force picks 14 companies for GEO surveillance program
Posted: Sat, Apr 11 10:34 AM ET (1434 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Thursday, April 23
Firefly Aerospace moves into 3 new buildings in Cedar Park
KVUE-TV Austin, TX — 4:24 am ET (0824 GMT) ESA Formalizes European Defense Agency Links
Aviation Week — 4:23 am ET (0823 GMT) Plato aces space-like tests
ESA — 4:23 am ET (0823 GMT) In ‘major win’ for Alabama, $565 million set aside for Space Command design, construction
Huntsville Times — 4:22 am ET (0822 GMT) Trump taps defense firm execs to lead space acquisition, NRO
Breaking Defense — 4:19 am ET (0819 GMT) |
