Twenty three years ago today, the Space Shuttle Columbia broke up just minutes before it was supposed to land, killing all seven of its crew members. I say their names.
They were:
Rick Husband, Commander
William McCool, Pilot
Michael Anderson, Payload Commander
Kalpana Chawla, Mission Specialist
David Brown, Mission Specialist
Laurel Clark, Mission Specialist
Ilan Ramon, Payload Specialist
Seven of the bravest. From the US Air Force, the US Navy, Civilian Engineers, and the first Israeli in space.
I’m old enough to remember such moments as part of the national identity, when we still shared such things. We no longer do.
And I don’t thing that’s a feature. I think it’s a serious bug.
A lovely tribute, with the truth wrapped in.