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

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Your comments so far:

To all the families in their time of loss;

Speaking to all of you from the state of Wisconsin. We all have a sad heart and send our deepest sympathy's to all the families of the brave souls who lost their lives this morning. We here are now lowering our flags at half mast. God be with you all and may all your loved ones rest in God's loving arms at this moment.

Loretta Hidalgo

They always say, you don't know who is with you until the chips are down.  Well the chips are down now.  We have just lost our second space shuttle.

There are things to do, find the cause, acknowledge the extraordinary men and women who were on board, rearrange future mission manifests, but the most important thing is to stand firm for the future we have worked our whole lives to be a part of.

It's not up to Bush to decide how we respond to this.  It is not up to O'Keefe.  It is up to us.  It is determined but what we say is possible, by what we stand for.  So lets demand a space program that is bold and inspiring. Let's demand that we continue flying into space and keeping the dream alive.  Let's demand that in this world, we need to be taking risks and daring about the things that matter to us, because that is what life is made of.

Our generation will not stop for ten years because of this- you can count on us for that.  We are here for a reason- to improve life here, explore the universe out there and to search for life beyond.  Why?  Because it is something that inspires us, something that is worth doing.  It is what we are here to do, it is what we are committed to and its what you can count on us for.

I remember when we lost the Challenger, I was 12 years old.  I remember being more determined then ever that Humans must continue to fly into space.  I was ready to launch the next day.  Well today is a challenge that deserves the same resolve.  Now we must look to what is most dear to us and dare to take a stand dare to keep flying.  In 100 years what would you have wished you had done?

Steve Lapinskas

Heard the 9AM National Public Radio newscast this morning minutes before the first pass shuttle landing in Florida and nothing had happened yet. Heard in the story how the co-pilot aboard was going to get 'stick time' maneuvering on the landing because it was his first time up.

Thought that it was a very slow news weekend because shuttle news seems to never get a lot of press because of landings, and that is some experience piloting something moving as fast as the shuttle after re-entry to landing.

Only got the story about the crash at 7PM after tuning the news in again.

Like the previous shuttle disaster before, it will be hard to forget where we were the time and day this happened.

From: Rick and Suzie Setliff

We grieve with you and want you to receive our prayers. God will confort, heal, and bless each who choose to better the way for mankind. Continue to lead, your pursuits are good and noble.

From: Tom Hancock

Columbia was special to me. She was the orbiter that twice carried my experiments into space. Seeing her fly always brought those feelings back.

We must keep in mind that about once or twice a week the USAF puts an aircraft into the ground. Once or twice a year, an airliner ends its flight with a crash and once every 10-15 years or so NASA loses a spaceship and crew. It's just the price of doing business. Regrettable, tragic, and sad. To be avoided if possible, but something we have to move forward from and continue to do business.

From: Oren Benedic

At lease this crew had the opportunity to complete their mission. I believe they had satisfaction and experienced their ultimate dream - to work in space. I believe they died happy and complete.

From: Eric R. Gavin

I was horrified when I heard of the news this morning. I didn't know any of those who were aboard, and yet because I'm such an avid fan/follower of our space program and exploration: I still felt a great deal of grief.

Wandering through that grief I remember also feeling sorrow, in anticipation of the negative reaction that could come from critics of space exploration and from those who would prefer to see all of the world's problems solved before we try and move on to the next.

I pray that the loss of the crew of Columbia would instead galvanize us to achieve greater heights, and to continue to press onward and outward. Perhaps we need to look more intently towards more modern forms of space access/transportation. Perhaps it's time to let the space shuttle program go, in favor of something that is designed for more routine access to space.

Whatever happens, may our memories of those lost in this tragedy inspire us to do great things in their honor.

From: B.Adams

I was 16 years old when we lost Challenger. I did not understand at that time why it happened. I am twice that age now. At 32, I work at MSFC helping our country build a world renowned Space Program. This morning, I was called into the living room by my wife yelling something about Houston losing contact with Columbia. From where I sit now, I better understand why it happened. This is a serious business we're in, Human Spaceflight. I just hope those that didn't take it seriously, do now. There are so many things that can go wrong with a Shuttle mission; so many people to insure that they don't. What happened today was probably beyond anyone's control. I just hope that the powers at be decide that our exploration is worth the sacrifice and we do what we can to press on.

From: Johanna Stephens

The crew of the Columbia and NASA have an enormous extended family of which I am a part and my grief is no less than yours. Please except my deepest sympathies.

Space has been an intergal part of humans over the history of man kind.

From: Bill Peterson

The U.S. Space Program will emerge from this tragedy stronger and more determined to push forward the frontiers of human exploration. There is no turning back on the path our Nation has pursued with courage and vision since Freedom 7. The future for humanity lies always on the distant horizons...the crew of STS-107 knew this and because of their sacrifice, we on this beautiful Earth, are the benefactors.

God Bless the crew STS-107/Columbia...God Bless the USA...we will NEVER forget.

From: Bob La Plante

Ad Lune, Ad Mare, Ad Astra! Their deaths shall not be in vain.

From: Daniel

My condolence to all families. It's a big loss for the world. From my family. Daniel, Carin and Maja.

From: Leonard Park

It is always a tragidy when accidents happen within the space program. As successful as it is it is still a very dangerous endeavor. Our hearts go out to all those who lost their lives this morning.

We wanted to let someone know, didn't know who to contact.. but we live in Mansfield, Louisiana.

About the time the space shuttle was reported losing contact, we heard a long and loud boom and our house was shaking. So evidently this is what we heard. I ran outside because it scared us so bad the time was 8:03 cst am.

I didn't see anything, so we just assumed it was a sonic boom, but I have never had a sonic boom shake our house like this did and the boom was never this loud or long.

Thank you for your time. Maybe you can pass this on to whomever it needs to be.

From: Robert Buntin

The world will pray, cry, remember and then once again rise to a new level of greatness. God Bless the true explorers of the world at NASA. Remember the successes and build on our failures. Good Luck.

I stay in Kiel (germany) i watch tv, the show stopped with a news-report and my feeling go down when i saw that the columbia break in a lot of pieces. it is a terrible day, like (genauso wie) 11.09. My english is not so good, sorry about that.

Based in Australia (2am), just read your release. A sad day for so many, many reasons. Thoughts with those directly involved, and also with the masses on this planet who's hopes and aspirations were shaken today.