Sad day in Space Shuttle History -Columbia Tragedy

I'm sure many of you have heard the news by now. How sad this is. Seeing the news brought back memories of the Challenger.

My thoughts and prayers are for the families of the astronauts.
Such a tragic event.

---

Background Information on the COLUMBIA Space Shuttle Mission STS-107 (NASA)
http://www.nasa.gov/columbia.html

Crew Biographies (NASA)
http://www.nasa.gov/STS-107_crew.pdf

STS-107 Videos: Watch mission video animations (NASA)
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/gallery/video/shuttle/sts-107/html/fd1.html

Space Shuttle News (NASA)
http://www.spaceflight.nasa.gov/shuttle/

CNN Space & Science (lots of coverage)
http://www.cnn.com/TECH/space/

---

Columbia is the oldest of NASA's shuttle fleet, first launched in 1981. It was on its 28th mission. The shuttle underwent an extensive, 17-month overhaul that began in September, 1999.

It rejoined the shuttle fleet in February, 2001 and flew its first mission after the upgrades in March, 2002.

---

If you live in the areas where the debris has been reported - I'm sure you've heard this many times already...

NOTE TO PERSONS IN THE AREA: All debris is United States Government property and is critical to the investigation of the shuttle accident. Any and all debris from the accident is to be left alone and reported to Government authorities. Unauthorized persons found in possession of accident debris will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.