Whole Object Name
Book of Condolence for Space Shuttle Columbia
Collection
Space Memorabilia
Description
Book of condolence for the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003. The book contains messages of sympathy from visitors to the National Space Centre. The first page has been filled by the National Space Centre’s Chief Executive. It reads:
“The National Space Centre team was privileged to meet the crew of mission STS-112, led by Commander Jeff Ashby, in January 2003 at the time of the Columbia launch. The intelligence, dignity and bravery required to be an astronaut were plain to see. You are in our thoughts”
Chas Bishop, Chief Executive, National Space Centre, 5 February 2003.
Columbia was tragically destroyed during re-entry on 1 February 2003. The entire crew lost their lives in the accident. Damage caused to the wing by a piece of insulation foam during launch allowed super-heated gas to penetrate the spacecraft’s heat shield upon re-entry. This caused the spacecraft to break apart.
Object number
2019-16