Space Shuttle Columbia - Sensors Go Off-line

Unknown to the astronauts, orbiter sensors were going offline while observers in California recorded something falling away from the shuttle. People in Texas called their local sheriff when they saw debris hurtling to the ground.

When it appeared the mission was lost, NASA's flight director gave the command: "Lock the doors."

This video clip, from Last Flight of Columbia, combines historical footage and recreated scenes to demonstrate the final moments of Columbia's last mission (STS-107).

Credits

Clip from Last Flight of the Columbia, a BBC Horizon documentary - online, courtesy BBC Worldwide Channel at YouTube.