What happened to Columebia Shuttle when returning to the Earth?
On February 1, 2003, NASA’s ‘Columbia Shuttle’ spacecraft was returning to Earth. There were 7 astronauts in that spacecraft. One of them was our Indian citizen ‘KALPANA CHAWLA‘, who was the mission specialist.
Those 7 astronauts were returning to earth from space after spending 2 weeks night and day in space. Their families were waiting for them when they set foot on earth. For everyone, it was important that the spacecraft landed safely on Earth. But for NASA, there was something common.
Because NASA has been able to bring 27 spacecraft from space to earth before. It was common for them. The NASA team continues to have regular conversations with them. A man named ‘Charle Hobaugh‘ from the Space Station was carrying on a conversation with the astronauts. On the other side, the astronaut named ‘Rick Husband’, the Mission Commander, was answering.
After a while ‘Charle Hubaugh‘ talked about tire pressure readings. On the other hand ‘Rick Husband‘ says only one thing ‘Roger’ and then they break up. Charle Hubaugh tries to contact the astronauts again, but there is no response from the other side.
After 10 minutes the NASA team again tried to contact them but they were unsuccessful. NASA team members are unable to connect with the astronauts even after they try for a long time. They may not have known that there was a big explosion in that spaceship.
After a while, the phone came to NASA’s office, and someone said, ‘Turn on the TV and watch the news.’ When they turn on the TV, they see a large ball of fire coming from the sky towards the ground. The ball of fire is slowly spreading around and burning on the ground. Common people watched the scene in horror.
9.12 am, when checking the materials that fell on the ground in Texas city, it can be seen that the materials were small parts of the spacecraft. It is clear to the NASA team that the spacecraft has suffered a major accident.
After a few hours American President ‘George Bush’ told the countrymen with sadness, ‘Dear countrymen, Columbia Shuttle has suffered a big accident, we even lost 7 astronauts.’ One of them was ‘KALPANA CHAWLA‘, a 40-year-old Indian woman.
What exactly happened? That spaceship? Who was responsible for this accident? Was the NASA team kind? Or were those 7 astronauts at fault? For which 7 astronauts lost their lives?
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