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Saturday, 1 February, 2003, 20:31 GMT
Columbia: Space pioneer
  • Space shuttle Columbia (OV-102) was the oldest of Nasa's fleet of space planes.

  • Construction started in 1975. In April 1981, Columbia became the first shuttle to fly in space following the successful atmospheric test flights of its sister ship Enterprise.

  • The maiden flight - piloted by veteran astronauts John Young and Robert Crippen - heralded a new era in space exploration.

    The shuttle was the world's first reusable space vehicle. Before the shuttle, manned spaceflight had been limited to vast, expensive rockets which could only be used once.

  • On the second mission, in November 1981, astronauts aboard Columbia carried out the first scientific experiments of the shuttle programme. They also tested the shuttle's trademark robot arm.

  • Joined by its sister ships Challenger, Discovery, Atlantis and later Endeavour, Columbia went on to carry out a further 27 successful missions.

  • In 1996 astronauts aboard Columbia notched up the record for the longest shuttle flight, spending 35 days orbiting the Earth.

  • Despite being the oldest in the fleet, Columbia had been extensively refurbished several times.

    •  WATCH/LISTEN
     ON THIS STORY
    The BBC's Tom Heap
         "Experts don't believe the shuttle has a poor safety record"
    Full coverage

    Key stories
    Final moments
    Astronaut's e-mail
    Online appeal for clues

    Reaction
    Tears at Houston
    Nacogdoches' pain
    Nation united in grief

    Analysis
    Dignity boosts Bush
    Budget cuts to blame?
    Shuttle's 'Achilles' heel'
    Q&A: Role of lost tiles

    Background
    The Columbia crew
    Profile of Columbia

    AUDIO VIDEO
    Watch key reports
    The final moments

    TALKING POINT
    Future for space travel
    Internet links:

    Nasa Human Spaceflight
    Space site

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