Shuttle Columbia Disaster in Space Feb 6, 2003 12:00 AM EDT ...

From the archives: Watch CBS News coverage of the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster on Feb. 1, 2003, in the video above. Twenty years ago this Wednesday — on Feb. 1, 2003, at 8:48:39 a.m. EST ...

The disaster led directly to the decision to end the broader NASA space shuttle program, forcing the US space agency to rely on Russia for rides to space — one of myriad ways Columbia altered ...

The ceremony highlighted the crew of Space Shuttle Columbia STS-107 for the 20th anniversary of the mission disaster that killed seven astronauts on Feb. 1, 2003. (Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel/TNS) ...

On Feb. 1, 2003, Columbia was 16 minutes from touching down at the Kennedy Space Center when disaster struck and mission control lost contact with Columbia and her crew.

HOUSTON (WABC) -- On Feb. 1, 2003, space shuttle Columbia broke apart while returning to Earth, killing the seven astronauts on board. Eyewitness News presents our coverage from that tragic day.

NASA immediately formed the Columbia Accident Investigation Board, stocking with it admirals, generals, scientists and aerospace giants. They met at Barksdale Air Force Base a day after the disaster.