February 20, 2003: CAP Assets Called into Search for Space Shuttle Columbia Debris

Image by wallyg via Flickr

On this date in 2003, the Civil Air Patrol was called into assist NASA in finding debris of the Space Shuttle Columbia which broke apart on reentry on February 1, 2003.

An excerpt from spaceref.com:

Video imagery of Columbia's entry provided to NASA was analyzed by imagery, trajectory and ballistics experts. The results of that analysis were then provided to National Transportation Safety Board officials who reviewed air traffic control radar imagery in that area during the time of Columbia's descent. The review resulted in what is believed to be a significant radar track of a piece of debris as it fell to Earth. As a result, a search of the Caliente area near the Nevada-Utah border is under way using Civil Air Patrol assets. A search using additional means also may be forthcoming.

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