Lessons Learned from Space Shuttle Columbia Panelists talked about the lessons learned from the Columbia Space Shuttle tragedy ten years later. Speakers included retired Admiral Hal Gehman, who chaired the accident investigation board, and Wayne Hale, a former Space Shuttle Flight Director and program manager. Admiral Gehman also talked about the origins of the shuttle’s design, which was required in order for it to retrieve U.S. spy satellite film. On February 1, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated upon reentry into the Earth’s atmosphere resulting in the death of all seven crew members.

This event was part of a conference hosted by George Washington University’s Elliot School of International Affairs on the 10th anniversary of the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. close