Space shuttle Columbia disaster

Space shuttle Columbia broke apart in flames as it streaked over Texas toward its landing strip this morning, killing all seven astronauts, six Americans and an Israeli. Please use this area to share your feelings and condolences.
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Seven brave people destroyed in a twinkling. A country rightly in mourning. Is this the time to be thinking of Iraq and all the dead as a result of war. People of all nations will return in bodybags to their native lands. Why ?

alan smith, Saltash, United Kingdom

It's a tragedy, no doubt. Let's get some perspective though. We're about to launch a war against Iraq which could cause tens if not hundreds of thousands of deaths. Not to mention the high probability of North Korea obtaining more nuclear weapons. Surely the media and the public has more important things to obsess about than 7 deaths.

David, Melrose

Like all of you, I am deeply saddened and depressed by the Columbia tragedy. My thoughts and prayers go out to all the families, and to those courageous astronauts who lost their lives in the name of science and exploration. The question is, what do we do now? I think that as a country, we need to take a sober, honest look at our space program and just be willing to recognize it for what it is. Of 126 space shuttle missions, two have ended in fiery tragedy, and the reality is, it could certainly happen again. I am not saying that this is reason to halt what we are doing, but we need to clearly recognize the risks involved, and make decisions accordingly. It seems to me that we should focus research on new ways of getting into outer space; new rocket technologies, expanded use of unmanned research missions, and ANY methodology that could lend itself to potentially greater safety. We have no choice but to plow ahead. But we need to be honest with ourselves and smart in our approach, using 21st century methods and strategies rather than technology that was conceived and created in the 60s and 70s. May God bless the astronauts and everyone at NASA during this difficult time.

Paul, Exeter, NH

In 1986, I was a young child in Houston, Texas watching the televised Challenger launch when that shuttle exploded; the Columbia footage immediately triggered those memories--a loss beyond words for both the astronauts' friends and families and for the U.S. space program. I do hope, however, that this tragedy will serve some greater good, and spur Congress to reexamine their priorities when it comes to NASA. Those of us who follow Congressional proceedings know that NASA has repeatedly been denied funding to do more extensive work on the four aging shuttles and to supplement technical staff. And it was just about this time two years ago that a large group of NASA scientists who had publicly voiced concerns about the shuttles' safety were fired. Surely human lives should come before money matters; waiting for things to break before fixing them can have devastating consequences. I hope that the investigation into the Columbia disaster will find that the cause was something beyond human control that could not possibly have been foreseen or prevented. If, however, they find that it is a mechanical problem related to the shuttle's age or to maintenance that cannot be adequately financed, perhaps the time has come for the 1980s shuttle fleet to be retired, having made an indelible mark on aviation and space history.

Globe Reader, Boston

The Eternal Flame The morning stars are dim tonight,
The sky...a little darker.
But on the other side of heaven,
They shine a little brighter
And the sky...a little bluer.
For 7 bright stars have passed
From the light of this world
Into the beckoning arms of unknown realms.
For in the infinite breadth of eternity,
The heroic souls
Who have soared the skies on eagle wings
Live on.
The wind carries their name,
Their souls ride the rainbows.
The dewy rain's soothing caress
Cools the darkness of their shadows
And the sun's warming rays
Hold the shining brightness of their memories;
Lighting the lives of all who were touched
By the brief, blazing brilliance
Of a shooting star.
- Anonymous

ALR, Boston

I'll pray for the families of these seven, brave human beings. We'll reach the skies once again and remember your attitudes.

Martin, Webster

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the families who lost loved ones in the destruction on the shuttle Columbia. As I was listening to the reports on Saturday I heard an official comment that we all think everything is going to be great once the launch has passed and that nothing will ever go wrong on landings. I guess we are all wrong in that thinking. I remember challenger and where I was at that time, also I remember where I was on 9/11/01 and for a third time at least in my life I will remember where I was on 2/1/03. MAY GOD BLESS THE COLUMBIA 7

The Pillsbury Family, Pepperell

This is sad; very, very sad. This is a horrible tradegy. My heart and prayers are with the families, and with the world.

Sam, Waltham

The words of John Gillespie Magee spread truth in this time of tragedy: "Oh! I have slipped the surely bonds of earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long delirious, burning blue, I've topped the windswept heights with easy grace Where never lark, or even eagle flew - And, while with silent lifting mind I've trod The high unsurpassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand and touched the face of God." The 7 seven souls reached for the moon - and have fallen amongst the stars - may their endeavor never be forgetten - and may the cause continue forward. God's speed!!

Dennis, Shreveport, LA

well i can say that is humbling to me - man at his strongest is weaker than God at his weakest again like the good book says...

bob, boston