Which space shuttle disintegrated upon re-entry in 2003?

Columbia disintegrated during re-entry in 2003. On February 1, the orbiter broke apart over Texas and Louisiana as it returned from the STS-107 mission, killing all seven astronauts aboard.

The disaster began at launch 16 days earlier. A piece of insulating foam broke away from the external tank and struck Columbia’s left wing, damaging its thermal-protection system. The damage was not adequately understood before re-entry, when the shuttle encountered extreme aerodynamic heating.

During atmospheric entry, superheated gases penetrated the damaged wing and weakened its internal structure. Sensors detected abnormal temperatures and strain, while the orbiter’s flight-control system struggled to compensate. Columbia then lost control and broke apart before reaching its planned landing at Kennedy Space Center.

The accident was the second fatal shuttle disaster, following Challenger’s breakup during launch in 1986. The Columbia Accident Investigation Board identified both the physical foam strike and deeper organizational problems at NASA. The shuttle fleet was grounded for 29 months, and NASA later retired the program after completing the International Space Station.