Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster — 7 Astronauts Lost on Re-Entry

Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated during atmospheric re-entry on February 1, 2003, killing all seven crew members — including the first Israeli astronaut, Ilan Ramon. The cause was a foam insulation strike on the left wing during launch 16 days earlier that damaged thermal protection tiles. The accident led to a 29-month stand-down of shuttle flights, accelerated the program's eventual retirement in 2011, and prompted sweeping changes to NASA safety culture.