Space Shuttle Columbia - 20th Anniversary of the Final Launch

The 20th anniversary of the final launch of the Space Shuttle Columbia falls on January 16, 2023. On that day in 2003, the Columbia lifted off from Kennedy Space Center in Florida for the STS-107 mission. Tragically, the mission ended in disaster as the shuttle disintegrated upon reentry into Earth's atmosphere on February 1, 2003, claiming the lives of all seven astronauts on board.

This somber anniversary serves as a moment of reflection on the bravery of those astronauts who gave their lives in the pursuit of space exploration. It also underscores the ongoing commitment to improving the safety and technology of space travel as humanity continues its journey into the cosmos.