UNDATED FILE PHOTO: The crew of Space Shuttle Columbia's mission STS-107 take a break from their training regime to pose for the traditional crew portrait. Seated in front are astronauts Rick D. Husband (L), mission commander; Kalpana Chawla, missio …
NASA Associate Administrator and former astronaut Bob Cabana will always remember the day of the Columbia tragedy.
Twenty years ago, on Feb. 1, 2003, Cabana was waiting at the shuttle landing facility to hear the sonic booms as Columbia returned home with seven astronauts.
"And they never came," Cabana said.
As Columbia was re-entering Earth's atmosphere, mission control lost contact with the space shuttle.
STS-107 crew members David Brown, William McCool, Michael Anderson, Kalpana Chawla, Rick Husband, Laurel Blair Salton Clark, and Ilan Ramon were all lost in the spaceflight failure.
"It was really hard knowing that we've lost seven of my friends," Cabana recalls.
NASA later determined a piece of foam from the external tank fell during the launch on Jan. 16, 2003, hitting one of the shuttle's wings at 500 mph. The blow from the foam caused the shuttle to overheat and break up over Texas upon re-entry.
This image from a NASA handout video shows a close-up of the piece of debris falling from the external tank, then striking the left wing of the Space Shuttle Columbia during launch. NASA officials noticed this piece of debris during the liftoff of Columbia but did not consider it a major problem at the time.
Photo by NASA/Getty Images
Last Thursday, NASA paid tribute to the Columbia crew on its Day of Remembrance and also honored the other lives lost in the pursuit of space exploration, including the astronauts in the Apollo 1 fire and the Challenger explosion.
"It's important that we remember on our day of remembrance, we take time not only to honor the crews of Apollo, Challenger, and Columbia and other lost comrades but more importantly, we remember the hard lessons learned," Cabana said. "And that's our day of remembrance, a day of honor, but a day to remember so that we don't make the same mistakes in the past as we move on exploring beyond our home planet."
Cabana said for those of the Artemis generation who were not alive for the space shuttle tragedies or the Apollo 1 fire it remains important to know that these astronauts sacrificed their lives in the name of exploration.
"What we do is terribly unforgiving of mistakes, but it's extremely important," Cabana said. "A ship in the harbor is safe, but it's not doing what it should do. We need to be out exploring. We need to follow their example, their fearless example of exploration. And we need to continue to explore beyond our own planet and establish a presence in our solar system, beyond planet Earth. And that's what we're going to do."
Shuttle Columbia: First orbital spaceflight
Columbia was delivered to the Kennedy Space Center in March 1979. On April 12, 1981, it lifted off from the Kennedy Space Center and became the first shuttle in orbit. Then, after completing its Orbital Flight Test Program – missions STS-1 through 4 – it proved itself as a reusable spaceship that could successfully operate.
A predawn view of the Columbia space shuttle before launch on her maiden space flight. (Photo by: HUM Images/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
The Space Shuttle Columbia rides on NASA 905, a Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA), on its way back to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida after the STS-2 mission, 30th November 1981. (Photo by Space Frontiers/Getty Images)
Challenger, Discovery, and Atlantis space shuttles went on to join the orbital fleet.
However, after the Columbia disaster, an investigation is said to have found flaws in design and NASA's safety culture. It marked the end of NASA's space shuttle program and the last one was retired in 2011.
RELATED: Remembering Challenger: 35 years since tragic explosion
Shuttle Columbia in photographs
CAPE CANAVERAL, FL - DECEMBER 9: A view from inside the Launch Control Center shows Space Shuttle Columbia rolling to Launch Pad 39A, sitting atop the Mobile Launcher Platform, which in turn is carried by the crawler-transporter underneath, December 6, 2002 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. Columbia broke up upon re-entry to earth February 1, 2003. (Photo by NASA/Getty Images) CAPE CANAVERAL, FL - JANUARY 16: (FILE PHOTO) The crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia for mission STS-107, in the first row, Pilot William "Willie" McCool (L) and Commander Rick Husband (R), second row are Mission Specialists Kalpana Chawla (left) and Laurel Clark (R) in the last row, Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon, Payload Commander Michael Anderson and Mission Specialist David Brown walk to the launch pad on January 16, 2003 at Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral, Florida. Mission STS-107 is a 16-day scientific mission. The one-year anniversary of the space shuttle Columbia disaster during re-entry will be marked February 1, 2004. (Photo by NASA/Getty Images) Space shuttle Columbia and its seven-member crew lifts off from Kennedy Space Center on Jan. 16, 2003. The mission would be the shuttle's last, as the orbiter disintegrated upon re-entry 16 days later, killing all aboard on Feb. 1, 2003. (Red Huber/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images) CAPE CANAVERAL, FL - JANUARY 16: (FILE PHOTO) (VIDEO CAPTURE) In this image from video, an object is visible falling from the Space Shuttle Columbia during liftoff on January 16, 2003 from the Kennedy Space Center, at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The area on the Shuttle from which the object fell is highlighted in the red circle near the shuttle's main engines. Space Shuttle Columbia broke up over Texas during re-entry on February 1, 2003. (Photo by NASA-TV/Getty Images) IN SPACE - JANUARY 16: (FILE PHOTO) (VIDEO CAPTURE) This image from a NASA handout video shows a close up of a piece of debris falling from the external tank, then striking the left wing of the Space Shuttle Columbia during launch on January 16, 2003. The Columbia Accident Investigation Board investigators say that a culture of low funding, strict scheduling and an eroded safety program at NASA doomed the flight of the space shuttle. (Photo by NASA/Getty Images) IN SPACE - FEBRUARY 1: (VIDEO CAPTURE) This image from NASA video shows Mission Specialists Laurel Clark (L), Shuttle Pilot William McCool (C) and Commander Rick Husband (R) on the flight deck of the Space Shuttle Columbia shortly before reentry February 1, 2003 while in space. The 13-minute video was found in the wreckage of the Space Shuttle Columbia near Palestine, Texas five days after the Shuttle broke apart. NASA says the plasma gas seen in the video is normal on all shuttle landings. The tape begins after the de-orbit engine burn and shows the crew preparing to land. NASA Mission Control lost contact with the Space Shuttle Columbia during the reentry phase of mission STS-107 February 1, 2003 and later learned that the shuttle had broken up over Texas. Debris from the wreckage drifted hundreds of miles from central Texas to Louisiana. All seven astronauts onboard the Shuttle died in the crash. (Photo by NASA-TV/Getty Images) IN SPACE - 16 JANUARY - FEBRUARY 1: In this handout photo from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the STS-107 crewmembers strike a flying pose for their traditional in-flight crew portrait in the SPACEHAB Research Double Module (RDM) aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia taken between January 16 and February 1, 2003 in space. From the left (bottom row), wearing red shirts to signify their shift?s color, are astronauts Kalpana Chawla, mission specialist; Rick D. Husband, mission commander; Laurel B. Clark, mission specialist; and Ilan Ramon, payload specialist. From the left (top row), wearing blue shirts, are astronauts David M. Brown, mission specialist; William C. McCool, pilot; and Michael P. Anderson, payload commander. Ramon represents the Israeli Space Agency. On February 1, 2003, the seven crewmembers were lost with the Space Shuttle Columbia over North Texas. This picture was on a roll of unprocessed film later recovered by searchers from the debris. (Photo by NASA/Getty Images) DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, DE - FEBRUARY 5: (FILE PHOTO) In this NASA handout image, an Air Force honor guard carries a casket containing the remains of an astronaut from the Space Shuttle Columbia on February 5, 2003 at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. NASA Mission Control lost contact with the Space Shuttle Columbia during reentry on February 1, 2003 and later learned that the shuttle had broken up over Texas. Debris from the wreckage drifted hundreds of miles from central Texas to eastern Louisiana. The bodies of the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia were recovered from the crash area in Texas. (Photo by Renee Bouchard/NASA/Getty Images) SHREVEPORT, LA - FEBRUARY 1: (RADAR IMAGE) This image from the National Weather Service shows a radar image of debris from the break up of the Space Shuttle Columbia (red streak below center) February 1, 2003 near Shreveport, Louisiana. NASA Mission Control lost contact with Columbia during re-entry on February 1, 2003 and later learned that the shuttle had broken up over Texas. Debris from the wreckage drifted hundreds of miles from central Texas to eastern Louisiana. (Photo by National Weather Service/Getty Images) ARLINGTON, VA - MARCH 7: Sandra Anderson, the wife of Columbia Space Shuttle astronaut Lt. Col. Michael P. Anderson, and her children whom she wishes not to identify, place roses on the casket of her husband, Columbia Space Shuttle astronaut Lt. Col. Michael P. Anderson, during a full honor funeral service March 7, 2003 at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Columbia exploded while re-entering the earth's atmosphere on February 1, 2003, killing all seven on board. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) ARLINGTON, VA - MARCH 10: Jon Clark (L), husband of Laurel Clark, one of seven astronauts killed aboard Space Shuttle Columbia, and his son Ian, 8, put their hands on their hearts as the honor guard prepares to fold the flag that was draped over her casket at Arlington National Cemetery March 10, 2003 in Arlington, Virginia. Clark was laid to rest next to fallen astronauts from the Space Shuttle Challenger at Section 46 of the cemetery. Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart upon its return February 1, 2003 after a 16-day mission, killing all seven on board. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) ARLINGTON, VA - JANUARY 27: The Space Shuttle Columbia and Space Shuttle Challenger Memorials are seen after a wreath laying ceremony that was part of NASA's Day of Remembrance, on January 27, 2022, at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Wreaths were laid in memory of those men and women who lost their lives in the quest for space exploration. (Photo by Bill Ingalls/NASA via Getty Images) CAPE CANAVERAL, FL - FEBRUARY 7: Florida Governor Jeb Bush (L), NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe (C), and Captain Robert Crippen (L), former KSC director and pilot of Columbia reflect during a prayer at the Space Shuttle Columbia crew memorial service at the Kennedy Space Center February 7, 2003 at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The service was closed to the public. Space Shuttle Columbia was destroyed over Texas February 1. (Photo by Matt Stroshane/Getty Images) ARLINGTON, VA - MARCH 7: Horse-drawn caissons carry the casket of Columbia Space Shuttle astronaut Lt. Col. Michael P. Anderson during a full honor funeral service March 7, 2003 at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Columbia exploded while re-entering the earth's atmosphere on February 1, 2003, killing all seven on board. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) HOUSTON, TX - FEBRUARY 4: U.S. President George W. Bush speaks during a memorial service for the astronauts who died in the Columbia Space Shuttle disaster at the Johnson Space Center February 4, 2003 in Houston, Texas. The memorial was attended by NASA employees and the families of the crew. (Photo by Pool/Getty Images) KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL - MARCH 27: (FILE PHOTO) In this NASA handout image, debris from the Space Shuttle Columbia is placed on a grid March 27, 2003 at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The one-year anniversary of the space shuttle Columbia disaster during re-entry will be marked February 1, 2004. (Photo by NASA/Getty Images) KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA - MAY 13: In this handout photo by NASA, members of the Columbia Reconstruction Project Team continue to examine and identify pieces of debris from the Space Shuttle Columbia that were shipped to the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) May 13, 2003 in Florida. The items at KSC number more than 82,000, weigh 84,800 pounds or 38 percent of the total dry weight of Columbia. Of those items, 78,760 have been identified, with 753 placed on the left wing grid in the RLV Hangar. (Photo by NASA/Getty Images) KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA - APRIL 28: In this NASA handout, NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe examines a piece of debris from Space Shuttle Columbia April 28, 2003 at the Kennedy Space Center, Floridia. More than 70,000 items have been delivered to the space center in the ongoing mishap investigation. (Photo by NASA/Getty Images) (NASA HANDOUT) KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL - MARCH 18: In this NASA photo, NASA crash investigators examine debris from the Space Shuttle Columbia March 18, 2003 at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. NASA is attempting to reassemble debris from the shuttle to learn what caused Columbia to break-up during reentry. NASA Mission Control lost contact with the Space Shuttle Columbia during the reentry phase of mission STS-107 on February 1, 2003 and later learned that the shuttle had broken up over Texas. Debris from the wreckage drifted hundreds of miles from central Texas to Louisiana. All seven astronauts onboard the Shuttle died in the crash (Photo by NASA/Getty Images)