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Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. Image 1 of 6. Bright flash seen on the Space Shuttle Columbia prior to its break up on re-entry into Earth's atmosphere on 1st February 2003, which killed its seven astronauts. Columbia, on mission STS-107, was at an altitude of around 65 kilometres and it was travelling at 20,000 kilometres per hour. Debris from the explosion was scattered over a wide area of the southern USA. STS-107 lifted off on January 16, 2003 to carry out scientific experiments. Photographed from California, USA. For a sequence showing this event, see images S540/796-801. (KEYSTONE/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY/JOHN SANFORD) === , INTERNET OUT, TV OUT, BEST QUALITY AVAILABLE ===