47. What caused the Space Shuttle Columbia accident? (A K2S Question)

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The investigation board has determined that the accident was caused by a piece of insulation foam from the external tank coming loose during launch and hitting the leading edge of the left wing, causing damage to the heat shield tiles that subsequently allowed hot re-entry gases to enter and melt the structure.

Answer provided by Jon H. Brown


Image:K2S logosmall.jpg Question and Answer extracted from the book Kids to Space - by Lonnie Schorer


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