SOLAR SYSTEM

Detailed explanation-1: -The space shuttle program was retired in July 2011 after 135 missions, including the catastrophic failures of Challenger in 1986 and Columbia in 2003 which killed a total of 14 astronauts.

Detailed explanation-2: -On February 1, 2003, Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated as it reentered the atmosphere over Texas and Louisiana, killing all seven astronauts on board. It was the second Space Shuttle mission to end in disaster, after the loss of Challenger and crew in 1986.

Detailed explanation-3: -On February 1, 2003, Columbia broke up catastrophically over north-central Texas at an altitude of about 60 km (40 miles) as it was returning from an orbital mission. All seven crew members died, including Ilan Ramon, the first Israeli astronaut to go into space. (See Columbia disaster.)

Detailed explanation-4: -How many space shuttles were there? Six space shuttles were built, but only five ever flew in space.

Detailed explanation-5: -Several engineers at the space agency suspected something was wrong. Fuzzy video showed foam breaking off the orbiter’s external fuel tank and hitting its left wing during blast off. But no one knew if there was damage.

Detailed explanation-6: -An estimated 25, 000 people from dozens of agencies recovered more than 80, 000 pieces of the shuttle.