Dover, Feb 14: Remains of all seven Columbia crew members have been positively identified, and the search for additional remains has ended, Nasa officials said on Thursday.
The identifications were made at the military mortuary at Dover Air Force Base, where the remains were taken after the space shuttle broke apart during re-entry February 1.
"We are comforted by the knowledge we have brought our seven friends home," said Bob Cabana, Director of Flight Crew Operations at the Johnson Space Center, in a prepared statement. "We are deeply indebted to the communities and volunteers who made this homecoming possible, and brought peace of mind to the crew's families, and the entire Nasa family."
Nasa officials provided few details but said the death certificates were signed in Angelina County, Texas. The Columbia disintegrated over the US state of Texas minutes before it was to land, killing all seven crew members, including Israel's first astronaut and the first Indian-born woman (Kalpana Chawla) in space. "We are working toward releasing the crew remains to the families for their own private memorial services," said Eileen Hawley, a spokeswoman for the Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Other than the remains of Israeli astronaut Ilan Ramon, which were returned to his homeland earlier this week, none of the remains have left Dover, said base spokeswoman Lt. Olivia Nelson. On Wednesday, law enforcement officials said search crews in East Texas had found "significant amounts" of more human remains. "As of today, they have ended the search for remains," Nasa spokeswoman Melissa Motichek said on Thursday. "Any remains that have been found will be sent to Dover."
Bureau Report
