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United Space AllianceSpace ShuttleLaunch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
STS-107
Launched
January 16, 2003
Summary
STS-107 launched on an United Space Alliance Space Shuttle from Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA on January 16, 2003. The mission failed: The seven members of the crew were killed on February 1 when Columbia disintegrated during reentry into the atmosphere. The Columbia Accident Investigation Board determined the failure was caused by a piece of foam that broke off during launch and damaged the thermal protection system (reinforced carbon-carbon panels and thermal protection tiles) on the leading edge of the orbiter's Left wing. During re-entry the damaged wing slowly overheated and came apart, eventually leading to loss of control and disintegration of the vehicle. It was United Space Alliance's 29th launch, 1st this year and humanity's 4,579th orbital launch attempt. It was the 113th Space Shuttle flight and the 1st this year. The payload was bound for low Earth orbit (LEO). 7 crew members flew: Rick Husband, Ilan Ramon, Michael P. Anderson, Kalpana Chawla, William C. McCool, David M. Brown and Laurel Clark. The spacecraft was Space Shuttle Columbia (OV-102). 2 objects from this launch are catalogued, one of them a payload.
- Result
- The seven members of the crew were killed on February 1 when Columbia disintegrated during reentry into the atmosphere. The Columbia Accident Investigation Board determined the failure was caused by a piece of foam that broke off during launch and damaged the thermal protection system (reinforced carbon-carbon panels and thermal protection tiles) on the leading edge of the orbiter's Left wing. During re-entry the damaged wing slowly overheated and came apart, eventually leading to loss of control and disintegration of the vehicle.
- Watch
- Vehicle
- Space Shuttle · United Space AllianceSpace Shuttle
- Booster
- No booster details on record.
- Mission
- Human Exploration · Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
- Milestone
- 113th Space Shuttle flight · 1st this yearUnited Space Alliance's 29th launch1st this yearhumanity's 4,579th orbital launch attempt3rd orbital launch attempt this year
Crew
Rick HusbandCommander · NASA · age 45 · 2nd flight
Ilan RamonPayload Specialist · ISA · age 48 · first flight
Michael P. AndersonMission Specialist · NASA · age 43 · 2nd flight
Kalpana ChawlaMission Specialist · NASA · age 40 · 2nd flight
William C. McCoolPilot · NASA · age 41 · first flight
David M. BrownMission Specialist · NASA · age 46 · first flight
Laurel ClarkMission Specialist · NASA · age 41 · first flight
Spacecraft
Space Shuttle Columbia (OV-102)
Space Shuttle Columbia (Orbiter Vehicle Designation: OV-102) was the first space-rated orbiter in NASA's Space Shuttle fleet. It launched for the first time on mission STS-1 on April 12, 1981, the first flight of the Space Shuttle program. Over 22 years of service, it completed 27 missions before disintegrating during re-entry near the end of its 28th mission, STS-107 on February 1, 2003, resulting in the deaths of all seven crew members.
- Destination: Low Earth Orbit
- Mission length: 15 days
Space Shuttle Columbia was destroyed during re-entry.
Flight preview
Catalogued objects
2 catalogued: 1 payload, 1 debris; none still in orbit
- Columbia (STS-107) · NORAD 27647 · deorbited February 1, 2003
Data from J. McDowell, planet4589.org
About this launch
STS-107 was the 113th flight of the Space Shuttle program, and the disastrous final flight of Space Shuttle Columbia. The mission launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on January 16, 2003, and during its 15 days, 22 hours, 20 minutes, 32 seconds in orbit conducted a multitude of international scientific experiments.
Pad
Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
78th launch from Launch Complex 39A, 1st this year · 130th from Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
224 launches from this pad · 283 from Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
53 days after the previous launch from this pad
Questions
When did STS-107 launch?
STS-107 launched on January 16, 2003. The time is known to the hour, not the minute.
Why did STS-107 fail?
The seven members of the crew were killed on February 1 when Columbia disintegrated during reentry into the atmosphere. The Columbia Accident Investigation Board determined the failure was caused by a piece of foam that broke off during launch and damaged the thermal protection system (reinforced carbon-carbon panels and thermal protection tiles) on the leading edge of the orbiter's Left wing. During re-entry the damaged wing slowly overheated and came apart, eventually leading to loss of control and disintegration of the vehicle.
Where can I watch STS-107?
Coverage: Authentic NASA Transcript Subtitles - 10 Minutes Before Columbia's Full Re-Entry Breakup STS-107; RARE! Space shuttle Columbia Explosion footage; Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster LIVE NASA TV. Watch the replay
What rocket launched STS-107?
Space Shuttle, flown by United Space Alliance. Space Shuttle spec sheet
Where did STS-107 launch from?
Launch Complex 39A, Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA.
What orbit was STS-107 going to?
Low Earth Orbit (LEO), a human exploration mission.
Which program is STS-107 part of?
Space Shuttle. About Space Shuttle