COLUMBIA 1981-2003

COLUMBIA 1981-2003
by Timothy Rollins, Editor and Publisher

February 4, 2003

Saturday's destruction of the space shuttle Columbia - like Challenger in 1986, was nothing less than catastrophic - not only for the American people, but also for the program that has for so long been known around the world as a symbol of success and excellence. More than that however, was the loss of seven fine men and women who dedicated and ultimately gave their lives in pursuit of space exploration, and the loss for a number of children and spouses of the most important people in their lives.

There were many - myself included, who at first thought terrorists might have been behind it. But after thinking it through and realizing that the shuttle broke up over the Dallas, Texas area at an altitude of over 200,000 feet - which combined with the problems with heat tiles coming off the left wing during liftoff, it now seems more likely that the shuttle died of 'natural causes'. Besides, there is no weapon outside U.S. hands or even within the U.S. arsenal capable of shooting an object that high up - especially without being noticed.

Columbia (STS-107 crew patch, right) had a rich history, and being an amateur space buff, watching liftoffs and landings was a joy unto itself. The destruction of the shuttle Challenger in 1986 was an almost fatal blow to the program; the loss of Columbia - the maiden ship of the reusable orbiter program and which brings the loss of our reusable orbiters to 40 percent of the ones built, must not let either the American public or especially Congressional simpletons who are always looking for ways to cut funds from one program to put it into another - usually their own pockets to use this as an excuse to cut funding to NASA or worse, to end the shuttle program altogether.

Columbia STS-107 Crew (AP) What has not been explained with the loss of the tiles from the left wing during liftoff is this: What did they not learn from Challenger in the way of erring on the side of caution? By this and by way of explanation, I am suggesting that once the shuttle reached an appropriate altitude, they could have jettisoned the external fuel tanks before leaving earth's atmosphere and returned either to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida or any of the several designated landing sites worldwide, to include either the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico or Edwards Air Force base in California? Granted, the mission would have been delayed and hindsight is always 20-20, however with the loss of Challenger, this is not exactly unchartered territory we're traveling into.

While the loss of the Columbia shuttle and more importantly, the seven astronauts (above left) is devastating, we must nonetheless continue exploring space and see what the heavens have to offer. Failure to do so would undermine the legacy of those who died Saturday as well as those others who have also made the ultimate sacrifice in their pursuit of exploring the heavens.

While there are no words that adequately describe the loss of those seven brave men and women, their sacrifice will nonetheless be forever remembered along with the Challenger seven and the three Apollo 1 astronauts in NASA's hall of heroes. They join their colleagues and friends in the heavens and while America mourns, the investigation will determine what can be done to make space travel safer for those yet to come.

For that and for so much more, they will indeed be missed, and a nation in mourning indeed owes its thanks. ***

Photo of Timothy Rollins courtesy of staff files
Image of STS-107 crew patch courtesy of National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Photo of Columbia crew courtesy of the Associated Press