Shuttle Columbia, carrying the first Israeli astronaut and six Americans, disintegrated in flames Saturday morning over northern Texas en route to a landing at Cape Canaveral. All aboard were killed.
Explosion, insulation problem may have caused destruction
Aerospace experts instantly highlighted two broad possible causes for Saturday's tragedy: An explosion on-board because of a defect, or something may have damaged the delicate space shuttle insulation.
Space Shuttle Columbia crew from left, front row: Rick Husband, Kalpana Chawla, William McCool. Back row, David Brown, Laurel Clark, Michael Anderson and Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon. More photos
TALK TO THE FREE PRESS
Free Press reporters and editors want to hear what you're thinking in the wake of the Columbia tragedy. Is space exploration still worth the risk? Send us your thoughts.
Suai Kee sings "Lift Every Voice" to a hushed audience Friday at the unveiling of the restored Rosa Parks bus at the Henry Ford Museum.
Anthem welcomes a civil rights icon -- the restored Rosa Parks bus
Standing amid a sea of spectators, 16-year-old Suai Kee (sway kee) almost disappeared into the crowd gathered at the Henry Ford Museum for Friday night's unveiling of the restored Rosa Parks bus. Then she started singing, "Lift every voice and sing / Till Earth and heaven ring." Tentative, at first, then she cut loose. The fidgety crowd grew still. Free Press story
LEAD'S TOXIC TOLL: Lead is an insidious poison. It damages brains. It harms bodies. An estimated 300,000 U.S. children face lives of reduced intelligence and diminished futures because of lead. A Free Press investigation has found that the toll is needlessly high.
SEX-RING: More arrests possible in multistate operation.
STRIP CLUB: City stops renovation work at downtown bar.
IRAQ QUESTION: Does Hussein warrant quick action or would that make U.S. a target?
FRANKLIN ARSON: Singer's employee defended in fire case.
CHEMICAL STUDY: Data may explain how common agents affect us.
GOVERNOR'S A SHE: Change would neuter state constitution.
HOLDUP THWARTED: Robbers flee scuffle with MSU students.
A RAUCOUS RECALL: Vote goes down to wire in Fraser.
$25.9-MILLION CUT: Detroit Medical Center to reduce staff, costs.
GM: Automaker's boss predicts growing market.
DAIMLERCHRYSLER: Automaker to trim management board.
MOVING ON: Northwest exec faced challenges with calm.
BEYOND BANKRUPTCY: Asbestos plaintiffs would run Federal-Mogul.
'8-MILE:' DVD, VHS March releases have some extra stuff.
WAITING GAME: Lions struggling with NFL's minority mandate
LEBRON JAMES: Prep phenom ruled ineligible.
ALL-STARS: Sun and fun on agenda for three Wings.
THE RECRUIT: Crawford makes early commitment to U-M.
WEB EXTRA / Updated 4:15 PM
