USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -February 1, 2023 marks the 20-year anniversary of the Space Shuttle Columbia loss. In memory of the mission and the 7 crew members lost, the 108th Congress passed and President George W. Bush signed into law the Columbia Orbiter Memorial Act (38 U.S.C. 2409) on April 16, 2003.

Detailed explanation-2: -It was determined later the cause of the fatal event happened two weeks before, when the shuttle launched, 81 seconds into the flight. Insulation foam from an external tank broke off and hit the left wing of the shuttle.

Detailed explanation-3: -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-4: -Feb. 2, 2003–One day after the space shuttle Columbia disintegrated in the sky, a NASA official said remains from all seven astronauts had been found while another official voiced hope that hidden data on computers would shed light on what caused the disaster.