My deepest condolences are going to the families of the 7 Astronauts of the Spaceshuttle Columbia. God bless them all. Chris

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Can you tell that this is going to be one f**ked up year? How many planes, helicopters, shuttles are going to crash each month? Plants and factories going up in flames every other day. Preparing for a nasty war. Economy sucks. My condolences go out to the 7 astronauts, their families, and NASA.

It made the hair stand up on the back of my neck. I was also watching the TV when the space shuttle Challenger blew up in 1986. God bless the families and the souls of those who were lost. Laurie

I'm with you too... condolences from Canada. Although when pushing tecnological limits tradgedies are inevitable, it is still very, very sad. Heartfelt sympathies to all involved.

The price of exploration is blood and tresure. Treasure is the easy part to pay, The blood is a deep heavy and hard cost to pay. There are seven more brave souls that have paid this price. If no one follows the trail they set. Then the price paid was for nothing. and their value shoudl be priceless.

They are hero of a different caliber, they searched the unkknown.

Condolences from England. Perhaps we sometimes forget what anamazing technological acheivement the Shuttle really is - how terrible this is how we are reminded of its complexity and delicacy. This is a very sad day and my heart is with you guys in the States.

My condolences and respects. Astronauts and Cosmonauts have always been my heroes. I salute the fallen. Requiescat in pace.

What can one say, to go so far, and then lose their lives so close to home. Sometimes life sucks.

Condolences from Sweden, I was so sad to see this. All my respects

I was in school in Florida when we went outside to watch the shuttle launch for the Challenger. Being a bit more versed in the mechanics of such things than my fellow students, I was the first in my class to realize that something had gone terribly wrong. I had hoped never to see another shuttle crew lost like that. The Crew of the Shuttle Columbia: ~Rick D. Husband, commander ~Willima C. McCool, pilot ~Michael P. Anderson, payload commander ~David M. Brown, mission specialist ~Kalpana Chawla, mission specialist ~Laurel Clark, mission specialist ~Ilan Ramon, payload specialist Rest in peace.

Well, I haven't seen the news yet, but I gather, more or less, what happened. What a tragedy! As samT said, astronauts and cosmonauts have also been my heroes too. I can't imagine anything more wonderful than staring down at earth from space. (Am currently re-reading Arthur C Clarke's 'Rama' series). Every astronaut who has been in space has said the same thing. "When you look down at the Earth, you don't see any borders between countries.... just one world" These people are true heroes. mac

All my prays are with them. My deepest condolences too. Irene

A horrible tragedy. Kevin.

I'm watching the coverage on TV right now. How sad. Most of them in their early 40's. Way too young to die. My prayers for their families. Melanie

I grieve for their families. Mourn their loss. But they died doing what they loved. And before they died, they touched the stars. And they did it so there would be a better future for all of us... "Though we mourn.... We shall not falter. See our fire....in the sky." Last stanza from 'Fire in the Sky' on the Challenger Memorial Tape.

Yes, this is... words fail. Damn. This brings back memories from watching it happen to Challenger... And another star in the skies is thus born...

I haven't seen the news today so this is the first time I've heard about it, my hearfelt sympathies go to the families of those brave people.

For those who did not find about this tragedy before they saw this thread appear: the Columbia broke up in the atmosphere as it was coming in to land.

I too would like to add my condolences to the families... Helen

My condolences go out to the families and my prayers go with the souls lost in this tragedy.

I can not express, in words, how sad I am about what happend today. This is too much, and my heart is broken. God bless them all, and my deepest, condonlenses to their families. Genny

It' a pity ! , I am french and feel like an american for multiple reasons. Sad news for you! ( for the 7 astronauts and their family ) One thing , it's curious this ''accident'' over texas with an israeli member. It' sthe first crash landing since 40 years for the NASA . Be Strong , you 'll have supporters in all the World ! Gerald B.

This is the first I have heard of it. Terrible news!

It was a shock - Saw it on FOX. My condolences go out to the friends an familys of the shuttle astronauts.

Very sad day indeed, We all send our best wishes to the Shuttle Family and Friends. sigh, ladynimue

One can only hope, that during those final moments, all 7 felt comfort in knowing that they were all coming home.

Yes, it's all over the news here as well. My heartfelt condolences to their families and friends. People like that are an inspiration with their will and faith in attempting what the rest of us can only dream about . . .

Very sad news indeed. Our thoughts are with the families, May God welcome them, Tony, Belgium-Europe

I echo the sentiments posted above. Many NASA astronauts live in my community of Clear Lake, Texas (home of NASA's Johnson Space Center). It has been an especially sad day for us in this neighborhood.

High Flight Oh, I have slipped the surly bounds of earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth Of sun-split clouds - and done a thousand things You have not dreamed of - wheeled and soared and swung High in the sunlit silence. Hovering there, I've chased the shouting wind along , and flung My eager craft through footless halls of air. Up, up the long delirious, burning blue I've topped the winds swept heights with easy grace Where never lark or even eagle flew. And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod The high untrespassed sanctity of space, Put out my hand and touched the face of God. John Gillespie Magee, Jr. WWII American Spitfire pilot who was killed in a mid air 2 weeks after he wrote this poem

:( my condolences to the friends families of the poor people :( how terribly sad

oh, that's a bad news... maclean, you might want to read steven baxter's "titan". it's much closer to the sad reality... :(

Sometimes people forgets that being an Astronaut is a very dangerous profession because we are getting too familiar with succesfull missions. My deepest condolences for the Families of those brave Astronauts and the NASA.

Was 1985 when challenger blew up....