In Memory of the STS-107 Crew and Columbia

lightnessIn 1981 I saw a spaceship land on Earth - twice. I went to Rogers Dry Lake by Edwards AFB in the desert and witnessed the arrival of the Columbia. I went April 14th for the first landing and again on the 4th of July for the second mission.

In 1992, I went to Titusville, Florida and watched as Columbia ascended atop a fiery plume and a trail of white smoke. The ground shook with the rumble and crack of the boosters.

Five years ago today, I awoke with a start - something - I don’t know what - made me turn on the little LCD TV I keep in the nightstand. I was horrified to see images of the destruction of Columbia.

I have a fond place in my heart for the Astronauts of STS-107 and the Columbia - and I will never forget February 1, 2003.

Image from NASA Image of the Day, taken from aboard STS-107. Click on it for 1024×768 in the viewer.

2 Comments

  1. kevin said,

    February 3, 2008 @ 08:30:57 PST

    Nice tribute.

  2. Cap'n Bob said,

    February 3, 2008 @ 09:38:39 PST

    Thanks, Kevin.

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