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

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Your comments so far:

So sorry for the loss of all the family members. You are all in our prayers and thoughts. May god bless you all during this time. From London, Ontario, Canada.

Just wanted to give my condolences from my family to the nasa family. I've watched all nasa programs including the first man in space. I have an idea what happened to the shuttle. But would not like to speculate at this time. Just know that our love and prayers will always be with you.please dont make rash decisions about this program.its what makes a lot of us believe that it is possible to reach to the stars.

I've known these people for less than 48 hours, they seem to be the type of people you'd like to have for your neighbor. They represent what's great about a free society. From my family to thiers God bless them all, I hope in this time of loss that they find some comfort in what they ment to Humanity.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those astronauts lost with the Columbia, and also their extended family at NASA.

We appreciate that you allowed your loved ones to be a part of such a vitale effort to further science and the space program.

They will never be forgotten.

To all the families, you are in my prayers, we will never forget the tremendous job these seven individuals did for the world. They will never be forgotten.

To the NASA Family, our prayers are with all the crew and all the persons that work behind the scene to make this a reality.

This is truly a tragedy.

My heart acked on yesterday and I will continue to pray.

I send a message of support for the families who lost loved ones in this tragedy.

I also hope that this loss sends a message to the folks who control funding for the program that budget cuts and corner cutting must stop. Continuing to send an aging fleet of shuttles into space risks lives in the name of saving a few dollars.

As is already being reported, responsible and concerned NASA officials have given repeated warnings that the safety of the program is being compromised by budget cuts. The shuttle program benefits not at all from huge advances in aeronautics that have been made in the last 25 years.

It is unfortunate that a disaster is needed to bring forth the truth of their warnings, but now that the tragedy has occurred let us hope that the safety concerns are now heeded and addressed so that we can continue this great program while diminishing the risk to lives of brave men and women.

Those astronauts take our hopes for the future up with them on every mission. We mourn their loss, and celebrate their contributions to society. We greive for their families, they are are not alone.

I walked outside tonight and the first thing I saw right in front of me was orion.  I gazed at it's beauty as I do every night in winter.  I especially love winter for this reason, and I am always awe-struck by orion's "belt", how all three stars are perfectly aligned.  Maybe it was just my eyes playing a trick on me, but tonight, the belt and four stars outlineing the shape of the constellation looked much brighter than usual.  I reflected for a moment and then thought about the seven astronauts from Columbia STS-107.  Then I realized that there are seven main stars in the constellation.

Another irony was upon further reflection I remember reading how Orion is considered the "guiding constellation" that points to many important stars, and how in great mythology Orion was a great and fearless hero.  I paused and smiled, comparing this hero to the seven heros who lost their lives yesterday.  Now everytime I look at orion, I am reminded of the heroicness of those seven astronauts and orion shines brightly for me.  They truly have found their place among the stars.

Deepest sympathy to their families and dear friends at the loss of our space heros. America mourns with these families as we have for other heros we have lost recently.

I have vivid memories of the emotions left me by Challenger, and yesterday has brought them back with a deeper sadness. However, it also brought a deeper appreciation for the noble men and women who fearlessly risked everything for that magnificent opportunity to be among the real stars, not the false variety of Hollywood's creation. We all stand taller because of their boldness to take such a risk. To the Iraqi leaders who have publicly rejoiced in the Columbia tragedy, I answer that the nobility of these seven eagles will live on long after your inhuman ideology has crumbled into well-deserved dust.

We had just turned on the tv to watch the shuttle land when we saw the news. Our deepest sympathy for the families, friends and co-workers of the truly couragous astronauts lost. We thank you for stretching the limits of human exploration, and we pray for your dreams to be realized through the efforts of those left behind. God Bless and God speed.

Your loss is our loss, we are with you always and they will never walk alone.

My deepest sympathies and sorrows for the astronauts and their families. Who would have guessed that with everything that's going on,that this would've also occured? The saddest part is that they were only a few minutes from home! They will always be remembered. God bless everyone.

Living in Florida and being so close to Cape Kennedy we feel close to the NASA family and our thoughts and prayers are with their families.

We will always remember those in the Columbia and those who were on the Challenger.....

There are no words to describe what happened and how we are all feeling. My heart goes out to all of the families and friends of those brave astronauts.

Along with my entire family, we are praying for all the families touched by this national tragedy that happened yesterday morning. Mr. Ilan Ramon, the son of holocaust survivors is an inspiration of how people can overcome tremendous personal tragedy in their own lives and move forward in great and mighty ways. I can see why for many reasons he is one of the heros of the Columbia for his tremendous contribution to Israel and two wars as a teenager and a young adult. He served his great country. All should be very proud of his accomplishments. And the female astronaut from India is also an inspiration to her country. I am very proud of every one of the Columbia astronauts. This nation is very blessed and fortunate to have these great heroes as part of our great nation.

Coming from a country with no space program, I look up to these people. They have given their lives for the "One big step for mankind". Let us learn from this and carry the torch for human advancement on. May they rest in peace.

Our deepest sympathty and prayers are with the families who lost loved ones aboard the Columbia space shuttle. As our nation, along with the Isreal nation, mourns this tragic loss of talented and commited lives, each are remembered for the sacrifice they made. May God bless each family member.

Words cannot express my deepest sorrow to all of you who have lost your loved one. Part of me died on September 11 and again on February 1. You all are in my prayers and every thought. May God comfort the all of you. I pray for your healing. Much love...:-(

What a sad day for America, the families of those brave men and women lost, and to the world. Once again our nation is in mourning! My prayers are for the families of the Columbia crew and my heart is saddened. God Bless America! We will get through this tragedy and we must not forget those that died yesterday.

My deepest and most sincere condolences to the families and friends of those seven heroes we lost yesterday. My prayers and thoughts are with all of you during this terrible time. May God welcome all their souls into Heaven and give them everlasting peace and give you, the families and friends, the strength you will need to deal with your loss.

My thoughts and prayers are with their families. Our God is wonderful and sovereign. May He lead you though the grieving to a place of comfort and peace.

Our hearts and prayers go out to the loved ones of the Columbia crew. Our hearts are heavy with sorrow. Please know....we will always have a special place in our hearts for them.

I am a senior woman and today, the day after this tragedy, I am still feeling numb. To the families and friends of the lost Astronauts, to all the people involved in the Space Program, my sincere condolences are extended.

They are now Angels with Our Lord, resting in His bosom for all eternity. They paid the ultimate price and May they rest in Peace. They are heroes along with all the people who have given their lives all down through history for their country, the wonderful "USA." Peace to our nation and all Americans. God be with us all.