2003: Space shuttle Columbia burns up on re-entry

On 1 February 2003, the US space shuttle Columbia broke up soon after re-entering the Earth's atmosphere, killing all seven crew on board.

The space agency Nasa lost contact with the craft about 15 minutes before it was due to land at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

A Nasa investigation blamed damage caused to the orbiter's heat shield soon after launch. Matt Frei reports. First broadcast 1 February 2003.