New report: Doomed astronauts fought to save ColumbiaA new NASA report says that the seat restraints, suits and helmets of the doomed crew of the space shuttle Columbia didn't work well leading to "lethal trauma" as the ship broke apart in 2003. READ STORY AMONG REPORT'S FINDINGS • There was nothing the astronauts could have done to prevent their deaths. • Aware of trouble, the crew tried to regain control of the spacecraft. They quickly lost consciousness as it broke apart. They died from lethal trauma and did not suffer. • Among the report's safety recommendations are safer helmets, stronger seat restraints, better parachutes and Global Positioning System locators that could make a lesser crash survivable. READ THE REPORT • Read NASA's complete report about the final moments of the shuttle at www.nasa.gov/news/reports and click on "Columbia Crew Survival Investigation Report" Remembering shuttle Columbia's 7 astronautsIn a new report, NASA reviews the way the space shuttle Columbia was destroyed and how the astronauts died as part of an effort to design a better spacecraft for the future. Here is a look at the seven who perished Feb. 1, 2003. READ STORY |  | NASA'S WEB SITE Learn about the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Webcast Audio Or enter the ZIP code where you will be star gazing to see current skies: | | | SKY WATCH  What to watch in the sky this month. | Return to flight — With the launch, flight and safe return of Discovery, NASA has returned to space, two years since the loss of Columbia. Going to Mars — Three unmanned spacecraft, representing the efforts of 18 nations, were launched toward Mars in the most ambitious effort yet to learn more about the Red Planet. Hubble photo gallery — The powerful, orbiting Hubble Space Telescope provides sharp, clear images of the universe. Man on the Moon — Remembering Apollo 11 and the first steps on the surface of the moon. |
|
|
| | The growing space station — View an interactive illustration of the expansion of the international space station. Follow the construction of the ISS before this mission's installation of the Harmony module installation, and see its planned growth. DETAILS |
KEY MISSION COMPLETED
STS-126 — Chris Ferguson commanded the "home-improvement" mission to the international space station. Eric Boe was the pilot. Mission specialists included veteran spacewalkers Heide Stefanyshyn-Piper, Shane Kimbrough and flight engineer Steve Bowen. The crew also included robot arm operator Don Pettit. Sandy Magnus moved aboard the station, remaining through February to activate the water recycler. Launch date: Nov. 14 Orbiter: Endeavour Mission duration: 16 days
SPEAK UP IN FORUMS
HEARST REPORTS
News from other Hearst Web sites
Shooting for the moon — India, China, Japan and Europe are busy launching, or planning to launch, robotic spaceships to the moon and points beyond. San Francisco Chronicle
|