It would take its first mission, STS-1, on April 12, 1981. In total, Columbia flew 28 flights, spent 300.74 days in space, completed 4,808 orbits, and flew 125,204,911 miles (201,497,772 km), ...

Space shuttle Columbia lifts off from NASA's Kennedy Space Center on January 16, 2003, in Florida. Columbia broke up upon reentry to Earth and the seven-person crew was lost February 1, 2003.

NASA issues a report, providing the most detailed account of the final moments of the seven astronauts who died aboard the spacecraft Columbia before its disintegration upon re-entry in 2003 ...

It was Saturday, February 1, 2003, and the space shuttle Columbia was scheduled to return from its 28th mission. But then, disaster and tragedy. (SOUNDBITE OF ARCHIVED NPR BROADCAST) SIMON: And we ...

A transcript of the final radio transmission between Mission Control and space shuttle Columbia, shortly before 9 a.m. EST. Mission Control: "Columbia, Houston we see your tire pressure messages ...

SPACE CENTER, Houston – A videotape salvaged from the wreckage of space shuttle Columbia provides what is likely the final glimpse of the astronauts before the shuttle broke apart.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (Reuters) – Space shuttle Columbia’s flying days came to an abrupt and tragic end on February 1, 2003, when a broken wing gave way, dooming the seven astronauts aboard ...