Bringing Columbia Home: The Untold Story of a Lost Space Shuttle and Her Crew

Explore the untold story of the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster and recovery efforts in this compelling National Space Society Space Forum featuring Michael Leinbach, former Space Shuttle Launch Director, and Jonathan Ward, space historian and author. Delve into the tragic events of February 1, 2003, when Columbia disintegrated upon reentry, and learn about the extensive search operation covering over 2,000 square miles across Texas and Louisiana. Gain insights into the technical causes of the accident and the organizational changes implemented at NASA to improve spaceflight safety. Discover personal accounts from those involved in the recovery, highlighting their dedication, resilience, and teamwork. Reflect on the lessons learned from this national space tragedy and the inspirational message of honoring both the STS-107 crew and those who participated in bringing Columbia home. Hear from Mike Leinbach about his experiences as Shuttle Launch Director and his role in leading the debris recovery efforts, as well as Jonathan Ward's perspective as a space historian and author.