Spaceflight Now

Sunday: February 9, 2003		0230 GMT

NASA studies telemetry for signs of orbital impact A military radar system shows indications that an object might have separated from the shuttle Columbia in orbit, prompting a review of telemetry by NASA flight controllers to look for signs of anything - including impact by high-velocity space debris - that might have contributed to the shuttle's breakup Feb. 1 during re-entry. FULL STORY

Saturday: February 8, 2003		0410 GMT

Dramatic week ends with Air Force photo release After a day of media speculation about Air Force imagery reportedly showing clear evidence of structural damage at or near the leading edge of the shuttle Columbia's left wing, NASA released a single blurry frame late Friday that raised more questions than it answered. FULL STORY AVIATION WEEK STORY SECTION OF WING FOUND NEAR FORT WORTH

'Hail Columbia' Former astronaut Robert Crippen, pilot of the shuttle Columbia for its maiden voyage in 1981, remembered NASA's oldest orbiter Friday in a moving tribute before a throng of workers gathered on the broad shuttle runway at the Kennedy Space Center. FULL STORY VIDEO: CRIPPEN REMEMBERS COLUMBIA VIDEO: HALSELL PAYS TRIBUTE TO CREW MISSION STATUS CENTER - latest updates

Friday: February 7, 2003		0500 GMT

Accident board takes over as single authority in probe Amid congressional concern about NASA's objectivity in the wake of the Columbia disaster Saturday, the quasi-independent Accident Investigation Board, beefed up with non-NASA staff and board members, will assume the mantle of sole authority in determining what caused the crash that claimed the lives of seven astronauts. FULL STORY LAWMAKERS CALL FOR COMMISSION

NASA mulls space station launch, crew options International space station planners are debating the possibility of launching a two- or three-man caretaker crew in late April or early May aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft to replace the lab's current crew and to keep the outpost occupied until space shuttle flights resume. FULL STORY

Thursday: February 6, 2003		0320 GMT

Foam may not be single 'root cause' of failure Shuttle program manager Ronald Dittemore told reporters Wednesday they were, in effect, mistaken if they assumed from previous briefings the Columbia disaster investigation was focused primarily on the possibility foam debris from the ship's external tank triggered the orbiter's destruction during entry Saturday. FULL STORY

Wednesday: February 5, 2003		0001 GMT

Columbia astronauts gone but not forgotten President Bush capped an emotional tribute to the lost Columbia astronauts at Johnson Space Center Tuesday. "Their mission was almost complete and we lost them so close to home," Bush said. "All mankind is in their debt." READ PRESIDENT BUSH'S SPEECH VIDEO: COMMENTS BY NASA ADMINISTRATOR VIDEO: MEMORIES OF THE COLUMBIA CREW VIDEO: SPEECH BY PRESIDENT BUSH

Russian cargo freighter docks to space station A fresh load of supplies has arrived at the International Space Station Tuesday, enabling the three-man Expedition 6 crew to remain aboard the complex through late-June or early-July, if necessary. FULL COVERAGE

Tuesday: February 4, 2003		0700 GMT

NASA seeks 'missing link' in Columbia investigation Engineers studying data from the shuttle Columbia before it broke apart Saturday say temperature readings in the ship's left-side landing gear wheel well may be indicating a catastrophic "burn through" in a different part of the wing, not the wheel well itself. FULL STORY

Foam impact analysis expected no major damage A NASA analysis of potential tile damage resulting from the impact of external tank foam insulation during the shuttle Columbia's launch concluded no significant damage would have resulted during re-entry even if multiple tiles were missing. FULL STORY STATEMENT FROM ASTRONAUTS' FAMILIES BRIEFING FROM THE WHITE HOUSE

NASA's proposed 2004 budget quietly released NASA released on Monday a proposed $15.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2004 that provides funding for a number of new programs, but the aftermath of the space shuttle Columbia tragedy could greatly alter the budget in the months to come. FULL STORY

Monday: February 3, 2003		0600 GMT

NASA announces Columbia accident investigation board NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe has announced the members of the Space Shuttle Mishap Interagency Investigation Board. Retired U.S. Navy Admiral Harold W. Gehman, Jr., will head the group. FULL STORY - posted Sunday

Cargo ship en route to International Space Station A day after the Columbia disaster, a freighter carrying cargo for the International Space Station was successfully launched from Central Asia aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket Sunday. Officials said the routine resupply mission would go forward as planned despite the shuttle accident. FULL STORY - posted Sunday

News Archive
Jan. 27-Feb. 2: COLUMBIA AND CREW LOST - In a devastating tragedy that took the lives of seven astronauts, the space shuttle Columbia disintegrated in the skies over Texas on Feb. 1 as the ship was heading back to Earth.

Jan. 20-26: Air-launched rocket gives boost to climate research; Shock waves may explain water in meteorites; First Milky Ways found at edge of Universe; NASA announces Educator Astronaut Program; Vandenberg receives first Boeing Delta 4 rocket.

Jan. 13-19: Shuttle Columbia rockets into orbit for science flight; Delta 2 pulls double duty with launch of two satellites; Three new moons found around Neptune; Researchers seek 'heart' of black hole mystery; Stellar cocoons found in harsh environment; Rocket issues keep Rosetta grounded indefinitely.

Jan. 6-12: Farthest known planet discovered; Coriolis launched to track ocean winds, solar storms; ; Nozzle failure doomed Ariane 5 rocket; Biggest zoom lens in space extends Hubble's reach; New lower limit for age of universe claimed.

Dec. 30-Jan. 5: China launches fourth Shenzhou capsule; Russian rocket delivers Canadian satellite in space; Ariane 5 launch failure investigation delays Rosetta; Engine 'destroyed' in Proton mission failure; Volcanoes on Jovian moon spew salt into atmosphere.

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Special collectors' patch marking the 35th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 moon landing is now available.

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This exceptional chronicle of the historic Apollo 11 lunar landing mission features new digital transfers of film and television coverage unmatched by any other.

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