Especially considering the space program’s recent milestone, it seems almost too unlikely that something like the events of today could occur. Unfortunately, it’s all too true.
I saw Columbia when I lived in Texas. It came through the Air Force base on the back of it’s specialized 747, and people came from literally miles around to catch a glimpse. It was awe-inspiring to my young self, and Columbia instantly became “my” shuttle, my favorite. I have newspaper clippings saved away somewhere, and pictures of me posing near the machine. I wanted to be an astronaut that day.
I still do.