CNN - Timeline:
A timeline of the final minutes of the shuttle flights and the hours following it (all times EST):
Additional data in italics from NASA press conference.
8:15 a.m.
Space shuttle Columbia fires its braking rockets and streaks toward touchdown.
8:53 a.m. (Over California)
Ground controllers lose data from four temperature indicators on the inboard and outboard hydraulic systems on the left side of the spacecraft. The shuttle is functioning normally otherwise, so the crew is not alerted.
08:53
20 to 30 degree rise in temperature in left wheel well over 5 minutes.
08:54 (Eastern California & Western Nevada)
Mid-fuselage bond line (bond between fuselage and top of wing on the port side) has a 60+ degree temperature rise over 5 minutes. Starboard side is nominal at 15+. Inside of fuselage wall the temperature is nominal.
8:56 a.m.
Sensors detect rise in temperature and pressure in tires on the shuttle's left-side landing gear.
8:58 a.m.
Data is lost from three temperature sensors embedded in the shuttle's left wing.
08:58 (New Mexico)
The FCS starts to add roll trim to the right. Implication is to counter increased drag on the port side.
8:59 a.m.
Data is lost from tire temperature and pressure sensors on the shuttle's left side. One of the sensors alerts the crew, which is acknowledging the alert when communication is lost.
08:59 (West Texas)
Wheel well temperatures lost. Roll trim continues to increase as the FCS continues to try to roll the shuttle to the right. Implication is that drag is continuing to increase on the port.
08:59 (East Texas)
Signal lost.
NASA have interviewed the astronomer in Owen's Valley (California) who reported debris coming from the shuttle. They have his statement and believe it is an important contribution.
Last edited by ORAC; 2nd Feb 2003 at 21:53.