Large piece of shuttle Columbia found in southeast Texas

Bakersfield Californian ^ | 9/16/04 | AP - Lufkin

[NormsRevenge]

LUFKIN, Texas (AP) - A large piece of space shuttle Columbia debris was found recently in southeast Texas, a NASA official said.

The 6-foot-long piece of the crew compartment was discovered two weeks ago in Newton County by a wildlife biologist, sheriffs officials said.

Bruce Buckingham, a Kennedy Space Center spokesman, confirmed Wednesday that the piece discovered two weeks ago was from the shuttle's crew compartment area and contains a hinged window.

NASA had not yet picked up the piece, which had bright green moss growing over one section of the window.

The biologist, Jason Sebesta, said he found it in a water runoff area near a lodge owned by his company.

The Columbia broke apart over Texas on Feb. 1, 2003, killing all seven astronauts aboard. Tens of thousands of pieces of the shuttle fell on Texas and Louisiana.

[Chummy]

Have SeeBS' experts authenticated this piece?

[Bikers4Bush]

Ahem, they prefer to be called the C(omplete) B(ull) S(h**) experts.

[NormsRevenge]

Here's an informative classic FR thread for those interested in the Columbia shuttle mishap. Good read and long on detail, analysis, imagery...

Observation on TPS damage on Orbiter

[dead]

Bruce Buckingham, a Kennedy Space Center spokesman, confirmed Wednesday that the piece discovered two weeks ago was from the shuttle's crew compartment area and contains a hinged window.

A hinged window?

[Pyro7480]

They probably mean the side-entry hatch or a door to the airlock to the cargo bay.

[Paradox]

A hinged window?

How else are they supposed to pay the tolls?

[Tall_Texan]

Not surprising that pieces will continue to show up. There's a lot of forest area in that part of Texas which is very seldom traveled upon.

[NormsRevenge]

Thanks for removing that post. Glad someone beat me to it.

Nice posting/forum lecture series you're putting out this week, btw ... vey informative ;-)

[snopercod]

Windows 9 & 10 (overhead) are hinged for emergency egress.

[snopercod]

Pieces of Columbia were shed over California, too, but none of them has been found so far.

[dead]

I did not know that. Thanks!