flown missionFailure

Space Shuttle Columbia / OV-102 | STS-107

United Space AllianceLaunch Complex 39A — Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA

Either the launch vehicle did not reach orbit, or the payload(s) failed to separate.

mission

Name
STS-107
Type
Human Exploration
Target orbit
Low Earth Orbit (LEO)

STS-107 was the 113th flight of the Space Shuttle program, and the disastrous final flight of Space Shuttle Columbia. The mission launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on January 16, 2003, and during its 15 days, 22 hours, 20 minutes, 32 seconds in orbit conducted a multitude of international scientific experiments.

schedule

NET (no earlier than)
Window opens
Window closes
Last updated
Fail reason
The seven members of the crew were killed on February 1 when Columbia disintegrated during reentry into the atmosphere. The Columbia Accident Investigation Board determined the failure was caused by a piece of foam that broke off during launch and damaged the thermal protection system (reinforced carbon-carbon panels and thermal protection tiles) on the leading edge of the orbiter's Left wing. During re-entry the damaged wing slowly overheated and came apart, eventually leading to loss of control and disintegration of the vehicle.

vehicle & provider

Rocket
Space Shuttle
Provider
United Space Alliance
Type
Commercial
Country
USA

webcasts

launch site

Pad
Launch Complex 39A
Location
Kennedy Space Center, FL, USA
Country
USA
Timezone
America/New_York