WIKIARCHIVES.SPACE

A Columbia Crew Memorial Service is held at the Shuttle Landing Facility for KSC employees and invited guests. Columbia's first pilot and former KSC Director Robert Crippen is at the podium. Seated to his right are NASA Associate Deputy Administrator for Institutions and Asset Management James L. Jennings, Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, and NASA Administrator Sean O'Keefe. The Columbia and her crew of seven were lost on Feb. 1, 2003, over East Texas as they returned to Earth after a 16-day research mission. Taking part in the service were NASA Administrator Sean OKeefe, former KSC Director Robert Crippen, astronaut Jim Halsell, several employees, area clergymen, and members of Patrick Air Force Base. The service concluded with a Missing Man Formation Fly Over by NASA T-38 jet aircraft.