On February 1, 2003 I recall awakening to some odd television programming. What was on the screen were various comet appearing streaks across the screen that I found rather curious — just prior to learning of the Columbia disaster and it’s disintegration over Texas during reentry at the end of it’s 28th mission … STS-107.
The disaster was the result of damage sustained when the vehicle was launched. A piece of foam insulation broke from an external propellant tank from forces experienced during launch.
This debris struck the leading edge of the left wing and damaged the thermal protection system which was in place to protect it from heat generated during reentry.
Some engineers made known their suspicion of damage only to have NASA management limit the investigation on the grounds that there were no remedies should damage be found.
