NSSDCA/COSPAR ID: 2003-003A
Space Shuttle Columbia, STS 107 was an American shuttle spacecraft launched from Cape Canaveral at 15:39 UT on 16 January 2003. It was the first flight in recent years that was not related to International Space Station (ISS) activities. It carried seven astronauts who helped oversee 80 microgravity experiments on-board. These ranged from K-12 interest to significant commercial and scientific potential.
After a 16 day mission, the shuttle began its re-entry on 01 February 2003, but communications failed at 14:00 UT when the shuttle was at an altitude of 60 km with a speed of 20,100 km/hr. It soon disintegrated over east central Texas on its path towards Cape Canaveral. The debris was scattered over hundreds of square miles. There were no survivors. This was the 28th mission for Columbia.
Launch Date: 2003-01-16
Launch Vehicle: Shuttle
Launch Site: Cape Canaveral, United States
Questions and comments about this spacecraft can be directed to: Coordinated Request and User Support Office