The World Mourns - Your Thoughts on the Space Shuttle Columbia Tragedy

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Astronauts, or for that matter, anyone who seeks knowledge for the betterment of all are heroes of a caliber that can't be measured. Noblest of people, willing to go where we cannot (or out of fear will not) go, for peace, for knowledge and to improve the lives of all those whom are left on the Earth--and for the generations uncounted that will follow. Nothing I do in my life will compare to the successes of these heroes; and nothing in my life will compare to the sorrow of those who now suffer. Suffering and sorrow are temporary, but love is eternal. To love these now lost is to embrace their goal and achieve it in their place. Let us all follow in their steps to a greater knowledge that will benefit all humanity. Remember them always, cherish the time you spent with them, know that their lives were not sacrificed for no reason; know that their lives were lived as they chose--in the quest for that which will improve all life, forever. As a human, I am proud to say these seven were my brothers and sisters, as are we all. I am strengthened by the comments left by others who come from all walks of life, all levels of society, and all religions and places. If ever we can hold true to the kind words written here, then our future shall be of a kind so glorious that we cannot imagine. Take that seed of hope and plant it with the love expressed here and the lessons learned will have been paid for one thousand-fold. Though we miss them terribly, we know that space is treacherous but the knowledge gained is worth the risk--a risk they knew well, and took, so that we might possibly benefit from their bravery. They were brave until the very end, let us be as brave...for them. Peace be with them.

My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those SEVEN BRAVE SOULS, who made the ultimate sacrifice pursuing their dreams! May their souls rest in peace!

At the moment when the Columbia Shuttle exploded I felt bad. I felt bad for the people who died. Who worked so hard in shcool, collage, and space camp. They gave there lives for the United states and for science. I think these people made a difference.

I think they made a difference because they risked there lives for us. I think they did a really courageous thing. I also think we should keep up the space program. We should still send people up to get technology. I dont think we should send robots up. I hope they fix the problems. Thats why I think they made a difference and why I think the space program should go on.

"Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God." Now, resolutely, let history add: "blessed are these brave seven heavenly pioneers for they have brought peace closer to us."

I had the good fortune to meet Christa McAuliffe after her selection to the crew of STS-51L. My life has been positively influenced by that meeting and I fully understand what the friends and families of STS-107 are going through at this most grievous time. However, if we are to do justice to the sacrifice that all of our star voyagers have made by giving their lives, the exploration of space must continue. It is what they wanted when alive and what they would want as their legacy. May we always find to courage to Reach for the Stars!!

As a seventh grade student, I worked on a project with NASA and helped name the space shuttle ENDEAVOR. I now am grown up and teach a class of my own. How sad and tragic this loss is for all of us across the world. I lift these families up in prayer and praise these wonderful people that lost their lives to help better our nation. May God Bless everyone that is associated with the Columbia, and may the crew rest in peace.... Words can't say enough about their sacrifice.

Why do I cry for the lost crew of Columbia?  They were not friends, nor related to me by blood.  I cry because those seven remarkable men and women were willing to risk death to realize my dreams, and the dreams of every individual with the vision of a global people, united to care for one another, to care for the planet of their birth, and to explore the heavens together.  Mankind is still taking the first steps at realizing this vision, and those steps involve the greatest of risks.  The loss of Columbiaís astronauts was not in vain.  Every spacefarerís death breathes renewed life into those left behind to pursue their common, bold vision.

GOD'S SPEED COLUMBIA -MAY GOD WRAP HIS LOVING ARMS AROUND THE FAMILIES AND SUPPORT THEM WITH HIS LOVE. FOREVER IN OUR HEARTS.

My thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends of the Columbia crew. You'll need to be the brave ones now. Although these seven adventurers perished following their dreams, they wouldn't want us to forget that the dream is what is important. They were reaching for the future and were lucky enough to have a career they loved. We will miss you.

My prayers go out to the families of the Astronuts. They're loved ones will not be forgotten.

My thoughts and prayers are with the families of our lost astronauts. My heart is heavy and yet I know these heros are in God's hands now. God Bless us all.

Though we never knew them,"WE KNEW THEM". In our hearts and minds they have and always will be the heros brave enough to explore the universe around us. We sit in disbelief again at another tragedy,with hearts heavy.Our prayers go out to all the families, we may never meet here on this earth,but know there a lot of people in all parts of this country who will say a special prayer each nite for the families,and to God that he is taking good care 7 of our heros, now. May god bless and be with the families of our hero's of the space shuttle Columbia.

I REFLECTED BACK TO A DAY IN 10TH GRADE. PARENTS FROM NEAR MY HIGH SCHOOOL BROUGHT TV'S IN SO THAT WE COULD WITNESS OUR FIRST EXPLORATION INTO SPACE. IT WAS A SCAREY, AWESOME AND PROUD DAY FOR FOR THE ALL MANKIND. MUCH HAS BEEN ACHIEVED SINCE THAT AWESOME DAY.

THREE YEARS AGO I HAD THE WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT KENNEDY SPACE CENTER. ALL THE EMOTIONS OF THAT DAY IN 10TH GRADE RETURNED TO ME AND ALL THE EMOTIONS RETURN WITH EACH FLIGHT WE HAVE ENDEAVORED.

MANKIND HAS GENERATED MANY BRAVE AND FEARLESS EXPLORERS AND WITHOUT THEM WE WOULD NOT BE WHERE WE ARE TODAY. THE CREW OF COLUMBIA WERE SUCH BRAVE AND FEARLESS EXPLORERS AND ARE NOW IN GOD'S EMBRACE, IN OUR HEARTS AND TEARS. THEIR NAMES AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS ARE FOREVER WRITTEN IN HISTORY.

MY SYMPATHIES AND PRAYERS TO THE FAMILIES, FRIENDS AND TO THE NASA FAMILY FOR OUR SEVEN BRAVE AND FEARLESS COLUMBIA ASTRONAUTS. MAY GOD EMBRACE AND COMFORT EACH AND EVERYONE. MAY HE ALSO GIVE YOU JOY IN YOUR HEARTS TO CELEBRATE THE BRAVE AND FEARLESS LEGACY YOUR LOVED ONE HAS GIVEN TO MANKIND FOREVER MORE.

PEACE

Take with you words,along with words of courage: Words that have wings! Words that are sacred as healing waters. Pure as light,and beautiful as morning. Take with you tall words,that reach up and glowing words,with deep life within them. Take with you holy words,words that know God.

From Apples Of Gold.

The Space Program Must Go ON. It is important for the future of life.

May the peace of God be with all of the families of the shuttle tragedy. No words can ever express the gratitude we should feel for all that they did for us - the entire human race. We shall never forget them nor their bravery. May their deaths not be in vain; I agree - the work at NASA must continue.

My heart and prayers are with the crew,their families and the extended family of NASA. We share your loss and pain and hope that you can feel the love and support flowing from this nation and from the entire world. I know that the sorrow you feel is overwhelming now,but hope that some day you can take comfort from the thought that not many people can spend their last days doing something they love so passionately. May their souls journey far in that place they loved.

The Columbia tragedy is indeed a very unfortunate incident. I convey my condelences to the families of the astronauts.

"Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorius triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows not victory nor defeat". -Teddy Roosevelt, 1899

They choose to dare mighty things...God bless them.

I deeply regret the tragic loss of the Columbia's Patriot Pioneers. My deepest sympathies go out to their families.

To all the space shuttle crews. God bless.

Not too many people have the priviledge and honor of dying doing a job they have dreamed of and loved. These seven heros knew the risks involved, yet were brave enough to take those risks because they knew it was ultimately for the betterment of all mankind and our future. My heart broke 17 years ago when the Challenger crew was lost; now it is breaking again. But we must remember these wonderful men and women as heros, brave to the end. Rest in peace. You won't be forgotten. To their families, all of you are in our prayers. God speed.

Among the sadness, is the realisation that it took this disater to get to know these wonderfuly gifted people. Far braver than pro football players, or NASCAR drivers. More achompished than most tevision and movie types. Much wiser than most politicians.

Manned and unmanned space exploration has given the human race all the wonders we are so comfortable with. Togather, these missions have brought an even greater gift. PEACE.

The more we explore beyong our planet, the more peacefull this planet will become.

I would like to send my deepest sympathies and condolences to the families of the astronauts who passed away this past Saturday. As the President said, they may have not made it back to Earth, but they are at home in the Lord's hands. This brings comfort to me in this devastating time. In addition, their accomplishments and wonder will be an inspiration to younger aspiring engineers/astronauts for years and years to come. This is a small comfort to me as an engineer myself, but nothing can help me understand why these courageous seven had to pass away. "God, grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change, the courage to change the things that I can, and the wisdom to know the difference (his will, not mine)." These words encapsulate my feelings of loss, but ultimate acceptance and perseverance, which is what these seven heroes would want us all to do - continue on with the space program for generations to come.

With all my love and prayers, God bless you always, STS-107 and families.