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In Memoriam |
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Died Feb 1st, 2003 |
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This morning I was shocked by the news that Columbia had "an emergency." When you're talking about space flight an emergency is almost always a disaster. Then I saw the video tape of Columbia breaking up on re-entry, and knew that the crew never had a chance. I could not spend the day watching the event over and over, so I researched and prepared this page. There will be a lot of talk in this nation about ending manned space flight because of today's events. I believe that there is no substitute for the human element in aviation and space testing. Machines can only be programmed for a finite number of circumstances, while the human can evaluate and react to any circumstance. Sometimes the sheer size of the problem precludes successful human intervention, as was the case today. In many instances, man has triumphed over machine in aviation and space history. Those involved in space exploration and experimentation know the risks they face. As young people the Columbia Crew witnessed the Challenger tragedy. They could not help but be affected by what they saw. Yet they pursued careers in space exploration, and they accepted the the risks without hesitation in the belief that the world will be a better place because of their efforts. Today I offer a tribute to those who died, and those who will continue to go into harms way for our benefit. |
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 Rick Husband, Commander, STS-107 |
COLONEL, USAF NASA ASTRONAUT Born July 12, 1957, in Amarillo, Texas. Married. Two children. He enjoyed singing, water and snow skiing, cycling, and spending time with his family. |
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 William McCool, Pilot, STS-107 |
COMMANDER, USN NASA ASTRONAUT Born September 23, 1961 in San Diego, California. Married. Three children. He enjoyed running, mountain biking, back country hiking/camping, swimming, playing guitar, chess. |
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 Michael Anderson, Payload Commander, STS-107 |
Lieutenant Colonel, USAF NASA ASTRONAUT Born December 25, 1959, in Plattsburgh, New York. He considered Spokane, Washington, to be his hometown. Married. He enjoyed photography, chess, computers, and tennis. |
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 David Brown, Mission Specialist, STS-107 |
CAPTAIN, USN NASA ASTRONAUT Born April 16, 1956 in Arlington, Virginia. Single. Enjoyed flying and bicycle touring. Was a four year collegiate varsity gymnast. While in college he performed in the Circus Kingdom as an acrobat, 7 foot unicyclist and stilt walker. |
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 Kalpana Chawla, Mission specialist, STS-107 |
PH.D. NASA ASTRONAUT Born in Karnal, India. Enjoyed flying, hiking, back-packing, and reading. Certificated Flight Instructor's license with airplane and glider ratings, Commercial Pilot's licenses for single- and multi-engine land and seaplanes, and Gliders, and instrument rating for airplanes. She enjoyed flying aerobatics and tail-wheel airplanes. |
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 Laurel Clark, Mission Specialist, STS-107 |
COMMANDER, USN NASA ASTRONAUT Born in Iowa, but considered Racine, Wisconsin, to be her hometown. Married with one child. She enjoyed scuba diving, hiking, camping, biking, parachuting, flying, traveling. |
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 Ilan Ramon, Payload Specialist, STS-107 |
COLONEL, ISRAEL AIR FORCE PAYLOAD SPECIALIST Born June 20,1954 in Tel Aviv, Israel. Married. Four children. He enjoyed snow skiing & squash. |
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