STS-107STS-107COLUMBIA ACCIDENTCOLUMBIA ACCIDENT

MISSION,CREWMISSION,CREW

The Two Types of Shuttle MissionsThe Two Types of Shuttle Missions

Delivery of payload Delivery of payload into orbitinto orbit

1.1. Place something into spacePlace something into space

2.2. Some science experiments can Some science experiments can also be donealso be done

3.3. Shuttle is much lighter on reentryShuttle is much lighter on reentry

Scientific experimentsScientific experiments1.1. The primary mission is to do science The primary mission is to do science

experimentsexperiments

2.2. No payload is left in orbitNo payload is left in orbit

3.3. Science lab is placed in the cargo bayScience lab is placed in the cargo bay

4.4. Shuttle is just as heavy on reentry as it Shuttle is just as heavy on reentry as it was on take offwas on take off

5.5. Much larger crewMuch larger crew

Columbia STS-107 Was A Science Columbia STS-107 Was A Science Mission that launched Mission that launched

Janurary16,2003 Janurary16,2003 There were eighty plus science There were eighty plus science

experiments on Columbia.experiments on Columbia.There were five main science There were five main science

experiments.experiments. 1.MEIDEX1.MEIDEX 2.SOLSE2.SOLSE 3.CVX3.CVX 4.LPT4.LPT 5.SEM 5.SEM

MEIDEXMEIDEX

1.MEDITERRANEAN1.MEDITERRANEAN

ISRAELI DUST ISRAELI DUST EXPIERIMENT.EXPIERIMENT.

SOLSESOLSE

2. Shuttle ozone limb 2. Shuttle ozone limb sounding experiment sounding experiment

CVXCVX

CRITICAL CRITICAL VISCOSITY OF VISCOSITY OF XENON.XENON.

LPT EXPERIMENTLPT EXPERIMENT

LUNAR POWER LUNAR POWER TRANCEIVERTRANCEIVER

SEM EXPERIMENTSEM EXPERIMENT

SPACE SPACE EXPERIMENT EXPERIMENT MODULEMODULE

Piece of Columbia found Near Nacogdoches Texas

Debris from space shuttle landed in Debris from space shuttle landed in Texas on Feburary,1st 2003Texas on Feburary,1st 2003

Cause of Shuttle DisasterCause of Shuttle Disaster

Sustained damage during launchSustained damage during launchBipod Shed Bipod Shed Insulation foam fell from internal fuel tankInsulation foam fell from internal fuel tank

Main propellant tankMain propellant tank

Bipod Foam Ramps had fallen off past Bipod Foam Ramps had fallen off past three Shuttle flights.three Shuttle flights.

Cause of Shuttle DisasterCause of Shuttle Disaster

Thermal Protection system (TPS) Thermal Protection system (TPS) damageddamaged

Reinforced Carbon-Carbon panels on wing Reinforced Carbon-Carbon panels on wing damaged.damaged.

Cause of Shuttle DisasterCause of Shuttle Disaster

Damage to panel allowed hot gases of Damage to panel allowed hot gases of reentry to penetrate wing.reentry to penetrate wing.

Lightning bolt??Lightning bolt??

Indications of a ProblemIndications of a Problem

Loss of temperature sensors in left wingLoss of temperature sensors in left wingLoss of hydraulic systems on left wingLoss of hydraulic systems on left wingLoss of tire pressure Loss of tire pressure Excessive structural heatingExcessive structural heatingDebris damaged orbiters Debris damaged orbiters

What could have been done?What could have been done?

Rescue mission by shuttle Atlantis.Rescue mission by shuttle Atlantis.A possible on-orbit repair by astronauts.A possible on-orbit repair by astronauts.

““This Day has brought terrible news This Day has brought terrible news and great sadness to our and great sadness to our

country…” George W. Bushcountry…” George W. Bush President vowed the space program would President vowed the space program would

continue. continue. Since: A launchSince: A launchin 2005, and in in 2005, and in July 2006.July 2006.(both successful)(both successful) ColombiaColombiaAccident Accident Investigation BoardInvestigation BoardCreated.Created.

MemorialsMemorials

Memorial built at Arlington National Memorial built at Arlington National Cemetery.Cemetery.

Memorial made on Mars roverMemorial made on Mars roverRenamed Mountain Peak Renamed Mountain Peak Apartment complex dedicationApartment complex dedication