Final launch of Columbia - the part that broke off the fuel tank can be seen as a light triangle by the nose of the Shuttle
Date	February 1, 2003; 20 years ago (2003-02-01)
Time	08:59 EST (13:59 UTC)
Cause	Wing damage from debris
Outcome	Shuttles grounded for 29 months
Inquiries	Columbia Investigation Board

The Space Shuttle Columbia disaster occurred when Space Shuttle Columbia broke up when it was reentering the atmosphere on February 1, 2003. The cause of the disaster was that a piece of foam broke from the external fuel tank. This made a hole in the shuttle's wing. During its entry, hot gases entered the wing, causing it to break up. All of the people on board died when it broke up.