The Worst Part Of The Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster Isn't What You Think

On the morning of February 1, 2003, after 16 days in space, it was time for Columbia to return. As detailed by the Columbia Accident Investigation Report, as the shuttle was streaking over California at 8:53 AM EST, witnesses reported seeing several flashes of light, which brightened Columbia's trail. Four sensors in the shuttle's left wing had mysteriously gone dead a minute later. Columbia shed a heat-resistant tile as it crossed from New Mexico into Texas at 8:58, and a final, unintelligible communique came from the orbiter a minute later. At 9:00 AM, observers on the ground could see that Columbia was in pieces.

According to ABC News, a report released by NASA in 2008 indicated that the first alarm to sound inside the shuttle would've come only four seconds before Columbia spun out of control. However, either Rick Husband or William McCool remained conscious for an additional 26 seconds, desperately attempting to save the crew. Soon afterward, the cabin would've depressurized as the orbiter was torn apart.

Most of the debris from Columbia ended up scattered across East Texas, sowing chaos as the smoking wreckage rained down ... including what remained of the crew. In Norwood, as reported by The Telegraph, a charred helmet was discovered embedded in the ground, and more remains — such as a hand, a foot, a skull, and a heart — were found elsewhere. By February 13, per CNN, remains from all seven astronauts had been identified.