During the STS-107 mission, the Space Shuttle Columbia's 28th flight, a sense of excitement and accomplishment filled the air as the seven-member crew prepared to return home after a 16-day journey. Led by Commander Rick Husband, the crew had conducted numerous scientific experiments, but their joy was short-lived. As the shuttle reentered the Earth's atmosphere, a piece of foam that broke off during launch 16 days earlier had compromised the shuttle's thermal protection system, causing a catastrophic breach of the crew compartment. The tragedy unfolded at 8:59 a.m. Eastern Time, as the shuttle disintegrated over Texas and Louisiana, claiming the lives of astronauts Rick Husband, William C. McCool, Michael P. Anderson, Ilan Ramon, Kalpana Chawla, David M. Brown, and Laurel Clark.