This chronology outlines some of the major accident-related flight events of STS-107. It was compiled by Jennifer Troxell in the NASA History Office from the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) Report Volume 1, the CAIB STS-107 Mishap Investigation-Master Time Line, and the Statement for the Record of Administrator Sean O’Keefe, NASA Administrator, at a joint session of the House Committee on Science Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics and Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on February 12, 2003.
| Date | Time | Elapsed Time | Flight Day | Item | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16-Jan-03 | 7:30:00 | 1 | Crew transport to launch complex 39-A | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 33 | |
| 16-Jan-03 | 7:53:00 | 1 | Commander Rick Husband enters Columbia, first crew member to enter | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 33 | |
| 16-Jan-03 | 8:45:00 | 1 | Mission Specialist Kalpana Chawla enters Columbia, last crew member to enter | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 33 | |
| 16-Jan-03 | 9:17:00 | 1 | Crew hatch closed and locked | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 33 | |
| 16-Jan-03 | 10:35:00 | 1 | Go given for Auxiliary Power Unit start | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 33 | |
| 16-Jan-03 | 10:39:00 | 1 | Solid Rocket Booster Ignition | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 33 | |
| 16-Jan-03 | T+57sec. | 1 | Columbia encounters wind sheer; sheer “appears to have initiated a very low frequency oscillation, caused by liquid oxygen sloshing inside the External Tank”, continues to SRB separation | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 33 | |
| 16-Jan-03 | T+75 sec. | 1 | Liquid Oxygen sloshing oscillation peaks in amplitude | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 34 | |
| 16-Jan-03 | T+81.7 sec. | 1 | One large and two smaller pieces of foam from the ET left bipod (-Y) ramp separate. | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 34 | |
| 16-Jan-03 | T+81.9 sec. | 1 | Large piece of foam from the ET left bipod (-Y) ramp strikes Columbia around RCC panels 5 through 9 on the underside of the left wing | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 34 | |
| 16-Jan-03 | T+95 sec. | 1 | Columbia encounters wind sheer (less severe than T+57 sec) | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 34 | |
| 16-Jan-03 | T+105 sec. | 1 | Columbia encounters wind sheer (less severe than T+57 sec) | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 34 | |
| 16-Jan-03 | T+115 sec. | 1 | SRB and SSME “exhaust nozzle pitch and yaw deflections exceed those seen previously by a factor of 1.4 and 1.06 to 1.6, respectively. These deflections were caused by lower than expected Reusable Solid Rocket Motor performance” | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 34 | |
| 16-Jan-03 | T+127 sec. | 1 | SRB separation from ET | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 35 | |
| 16-Jan-03 | T+8 minutes, 30 sec. | 1 | SSME engine shut down, ET separation followed | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 35 | |
| 16-Jan-03 | 11:39:00 | 1 | Columbia in orbit; crew enters “post insertion timeline” | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 35 | |
| 17-Jan-03 | 10:30-11:00 | 2 | Between 10:30 and 11:00 an object drifts away from Columbia in orbit | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 35 | |
| 23-Jan-03 | 8 | Mission Control emails Husband and McCool informing them of a debris strike with a short video clip. Mission Control indicated there was “absolutely no concern for reentry”. Husband forwards the information to the rest of the crew. | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 36 | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:10:00 | 17 | Mission Control Cap COM notifies Columbia crew that they are a GO for de-orbit burn | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 38 | |
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:15:30 | 17 | Husband and McCool execute de-orbit burn | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 38 | |
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:44:09 | 17 | Entry Interface Occurs over the Pacific Ocean | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 38 | |
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:48:39 | EI+270 | Left Wing Leading Edge spar sensor indicates higher strains than normal; readings recorded on the Modular Auxiliary Data System and were not displayed to the crew nor telemetered to Mission Control | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 38 | |
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:48:59 | EI+290 | “Wing LE LWR Attach Clevis RCC10” indicates an “off nominal temperature trend” | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 40 | |
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:49:32 | EI+323 | Columbia executes right roll maneuver [normal event] | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 38; STS-107 Mishap Investigation-Master Time Line | |
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:49:49 | EI+340 | “Left OMS Pod Thermocouple Start of off-nominal temperature trend.” | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 40 | |
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:50:19 | EI+370 | “(Left Wing Lower Surface Thermocouple) Begins off-nominal temperature increase” | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 40 | |
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:50:53 | EI+404 | Columbia enters 10 minute peak heating period [normal event] | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 38; STS-107 Mishap Investigation-Master Time Line | |
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:51:14 | EI+425 | “(Wing Spar Panel 9 temp) Start off-nominal trend” | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 40 | |
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:52:00 | EI+471 | Wing leading edge temperatures normally reach 2,650 degrees Fahrenheit | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 38 | |
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:52:16 | EI+487 | “Wing Leading Edge Spar Burn Through” | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 40 | |
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:52:17 | “LMG Brake Line temp D-On Wheel well Inboard Sidewall (Small increase in temp-“Bit Flip Up”)” | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 40 | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:52:51 | EI+522 | “(Wing Spar Panel) 9 temp Off-Scale Low” | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 40 | |
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:52:59 | “Left Inboard Elevon Lower Skin temp Off-Scale Low” | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 40 | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:53:11 | “Hydraulic System 1LH Inboard Elevon Actr Ret LN Temp Off-Scale Low” | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 40 | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:53:26 | EI+557 | Columbia crosses California coast west of Sacramento | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 38 | |
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:53:31/34 | “Hydraulic System 1 LOE RTN LN Temp Off-Scale Low” | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 40 | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:53:36 | “Hydraulic System 2 LH Return Line temp Off-Scale Low” | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 40 | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:53:44/48 | “First report of debris observed leaving the orbiter” | STS-107 Mishap Investigation-Master Time Line | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:53:46/50 | Second report of observed debris | STS-107 Mishap Investigation-Master Time Line | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:53:46 | EI+577 | Signs of debris shedding; streak noticed in Orbiter’s trail | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 39 | |
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:53:54/58 | Third report of observed debris; “Event followed by momentary brightening of plasma trail.” | STS-107 Mishap Investigation-Master Time Line | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:54:00/04 | Fourth report of observed debris | STS-107 Mishap Investigation-Master Time Line | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:54:07/11 | Fifth report of observed debris | STS-107 Mishap Investigation-Master Time Line | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:54:11 | “Reversal in Rolling Movement from Negative to Positive Slope” | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 40 | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:54:24 | EI+613 | Maintenance, Mechanical, and Crew Systems (MMACS) officer informs flight director of four hydraulic sensor readings in the left wing indicating “off-scale low”; first time Mission Control knows something is not normal about reentry | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 39 | |
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:54:25 | EI+614 | Columbia crosses California into Nevada; bright flash seconds later | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 39 | |
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:54:33.3/33.9 | “Flash #1- Orbiter envelope suddenly brightened (duration 0.3 sec), leaving noticeable luminescent signature in plasma trail” | STS-107 Mishap Investigation-Master Time Line | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:54:35/37 | Sixth report of observed debris | STS-107 Mishap Investigation-Master Time Line | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:55:00 | EI+651 | wing leading edge temperatures normally reach 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 39 | |
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:55:04/10 | Seventh report of observed debris | STS-107 Mishap Investigation-Master Time Line | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:55:21/27 | Eighth report of observed debris; “Event was followed by momentary brightening of plasma trail.” | STS-107 Mishap Investigation-Master Time Line | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:55:25/29 | Ninth report of observed debris; “Event was followed by multiple secondary plasma trails.” | STS-107 Mishap Investigation-Master Time Line | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:55:26/30 | Tenth report of debris leaving the Shuttle | STS-107 Mishap Investigation-Master Time Line | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:55:32 | EI+683 | Columbia crosses from Nevada into Utah | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 39 | |
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:55:36/42 | Eleventh report of debris leaving the Shuttle | STS-107 Mishap Investigation-Master Time Line | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:55:45/49 | Twelfth report of debris leaving the Shuttle; “Event was preceded and followed by secondary plasma trails.” | STS-107 Mishap Investigation-Master Time Line | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:55:52 | EI+703 | Columbia crosses from Utah into Arizona | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 39 | |
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:55:58 | Fourteenth report of debris leaving the Shuttle; “Very bright debris observed leaving the Orbiter.” | STS-107 Mishap Investigation-Master Time Line | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:56:09/13 | Fifteenth report of debris leaving the orbiter | STS-107 Mishap Investigation-Master Time Line | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:56:30 | EI+741 | Columbia initiates right to left roll reversal over Arizona | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 39 | |
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:56:45 | EI+756 | Columbia crosses from Arizona into New Mexico | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 39 | |
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:56:55 | “First Roll Reversal Complete” | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 41 | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:57:19 | “Main Landing Gear LH Outboard Tire Pressure 1 (Start of off-nominal trend – “Bit Flip Up”)” | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 41 | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:57:19/29 | Sixteenth report of debris leaving the orbiter; “Very faint debris observed leaving just aft of the Orbiter” | STS-107 Mishap Investigation-Master Time Line | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:57:24 | EI+795 | Columbia passes north of Albuquerque | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 39 | |
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:57:24 | “Main Landing Gear LH Outboard Tire Pressure 2 (Start of off-nominal trend – “Bit Flip Up”)” | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 41 | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:58:00 | EI+831 | “Wing leading edge temperatures typically decreased to 2,880 degrees Fahrenheit” | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 39 | |
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:58:03 (+/- 10 sec) |
“Start of “Sharp” Aileron Trim” increase | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 41; STS-107 Mishap Investigation-Master Time Line | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:58:20 | EI+851 | Columbia crosses from New Mexico into Texas; sheds most westerly piece of debris discovered in Littlefield, Texas | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 39 | |
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:58:38 | “Main Landing Gear LH Outboard Tire Pressure 1 Off-Scale Low” | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 41 | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:58:48 | “Main Landing Gear LH Inboard Wheel Temp Off-Scale Low; Main Landing Gear Inboard Tire Pressure 2 Off-Scale Low” | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 41 | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:58:54 | “Main Landing Gear LH Outboard Tire Pressure 2 Off-Scale Low” | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 41 | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:59:06 | “Left Main Gear Downlock Indication (Uplock Indicated No Change)” | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 41 | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:59:15 | EI+906 | MMACS reports Flight Director that pressure readings are lost on both left main landing gear tires | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 39 | |
| 1-Feb-03 | 8:59:32:136 | EI+923 | Last communication from crew cut off; last telemetry received | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 39 | |
| 1-Feb-03 | 9:00:02/06 | “Debris A observed leaving the Orbiter – Large debris seen falling away from the Orbiter envelope.” | STS-107 Mishap Investigation-Master Time Line | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 9:00:17/21 | “Debris B observed leaving the Orbiter” | STS-107 Mishap Investigation-Master Time Line | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 9:00:18 | EI+969 | Videos made by observers on ground show Columbia disintegrating. | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 39 | |
| 1-Feb-03 | 9:00:18/22 | “Debris C observed leaving the Orbiter” | STS-107 Mishap Investigation-Master Time Line | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 9:00:19:44 | “MADS Data Ends” | CAIB, Vol 1, Pg. 41 | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 9:00:21/25 | “Vehicle Main Body break-up” | STS-107 Mishap Investigation-Master Time Line | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 9:16:00 | Countdown to arrival clock reaches zero; Associate Administrator for Spaceflight, Bill Readdy, declares spaceflight contingency and activates Recovery Control Center at KSC | Statement for the Record of Administrator Sean O’Keefe, NASA Administrator, at a Joint session of the House Committee on Science and Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on February 12, 2003. | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 9:29:00 | Contingency Action Plan for Space Flight Operations Activated | Statement for the Record of Administrator Sean O’Keefe, NASA Administrator, at a Joint session of the House Committee on Science and Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on February 12, 2003. | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 10:00:00 | All Data at NASA and contractor sites impounded; Headquarters Action Center activated | Statement for the Record of Administrator Sean O’Keefe, NASA Administrator, at a Joint session of the House Committee on Science and Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on February 12, 2003. | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 10:30:00 | “NASA Mishap Response Team convened to assess the preliminary data and focus on the location of the crew compartment through the Rescue Coordination Center at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia.”; “The Rapid Response Team was activated for deployment to Barksdale AFB in Louisiana.” | Statement for the Record of Administrator Sean O’Keefe, NASA Administrator, at a Joint session of the House Committee on Science and Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on February 12, 2003. | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 10:30:00 | NASA Deputy Administrator begins calling Columbia Accident Investigation Board members currently listed on contingency plan | Statement for the Record of Administrator Sean O’Keefe, NASA Administrator, at a Joint session of the House Committee on Science and Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on February 12, 2003. | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 11:30:00 | Administrator O’Keefe meets with Columbia families | Statement for the Record of Administrator Sean O’Keefe, NASA Administrator, at a Joint session of the House Committee on Science and Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on February 12, 2003. | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 13:15:00 | Administrator O’Keefe makes televised statement expressing “deepest national regrets” for the accident and informs public about the creation of the Columbia Accident Investigation Board | Statement for the Record of Administrator Sean O’Keefe, NASA Administrator, at a Joint session of the House Committee on Science and Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on February 12, 2003. | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 17:00:00 | Columbia Accident Investigation Board verbally activated by O’Keefe at the NASA Mishap Investigation Team teleconference | Statement for the Record of Administrator Sean O’Keefe, NASA Administrator, at a Joint session of the House Committee on Science and Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on February 12, 2003. | ||
| 1-Feb-03 | 18:00:00 | By this time “…during a teleconference with the White House Situation Room, we [O’Keefe/NASA] briefed officials from the Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Department of Defense, FBI, and the FAA” about the investigation’s current status | Statement for the Record of Administrator Sean O’Keefe, NASA Administrator, at a Joint session of the House Committee on Science and Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation on February 12, 2003. |