On February 1, 2003, the Columbia space shuttle began re-entering Earth’s atmosphere. Problems quickly arose, from the loss of sensor data to drag on the shuttle’s left wing. At one point, Mission Control in Houston contacted Commander Rick Husband about an issue with the tire pressure, and at 8:59:32 AM (EST) Husband responded, “Roger, uh, bu—” before being cut off. Less than a second later, Columbia began to break up. Mission Control was unable to reach the shuttle on the radio, and Columbia disappeared from radar.
It is believed that the crew died soon after, either from loss of oxygen due to depressurization or from traumatic injury as the shuttle spun out of control.