US pays tribute to fallen astronauts in Colombia disaster

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Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Wednesday, February 05, 2003

US pays tribute to fallen astronauts in Colombia disaster

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Thousands of grieving space workers and their families, friends and political figures including President George W. Bush paid tribute to the seven astronauts killed in the disaster of the US space shuttle Colombia.

Addressing the ceremony, Bush vowed the United States will continue its space program despite the disaster.

"America's space program will go on," Bush declared. "This cause of exploration and discovery is not an option we choose. It is a desire written in the human heart."

"The loss was sudden and terrible, and for their families,the grief is heavy. Our nation shares in your sorrow and in your pride," Bush said in a steady voice.

"Each of these astronauts had the daring and the discipline required of their calling. Each of them knew great endeavors are inseparable from great risk, and each of them accepted those risks willingly, even joyfully, in the cause of discovery," he added.

The seven astronauts onboard the Columbia space shuttle, which disintegrated before landing early Saturday morning, include two females, and the first Israeli astronaut ever entering the space.

Ilan Ramon -- 48, a colonel in the Israeli Air Force, was a fighter pilot who was the only payload specialist on Columbia. Ramon received a bachelor of science in electronics and computer engineering from the University of Tel Aviv, Israel, in 1987. Ramon was selected as a payload specialist by the Israeli Air Force in 1997 and approved by US space agency NASA in 1998. He reported for training at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston in July 1998 and was making his first spaceflight.

Rick D. Husband -- 45, a colonel in the US Air Force, was a test pilot and veteran of one spaceflight. He served as commander for Columbia. He was selected by NASA in December 1994.

William C. McCool -- 41, a commander in the US Navy, was a former test pilot. He served as pilot for Columbia. Selected by NASA in April 1996, McCool was making his first spaceflight.

Michael P. Anderson -- 43, a lieutenant colonel in the US Air Force, was a former instructor pilot and tactical officer, and a veteran of one spaceflight. He served as payload commander and mission specialist for Columbia. He was selected by NASA in December 1994.

David M. Brown -- 46, a captain in the US Navy, was a naval aviator and flight surgeon. He served as mission specialist for Columbia. Selected by NASA in April 1996, Brown was making his first spaceflight.

Kalpana Chawla -- 41, was an aerospace engineer and an certified flight instructor. She was serving as flight engineer and mission specialist for Columbia. She was selected by NASA in December 1994.

Laurel Blair Salton Clark -- 41, a commander in the US Navy and a naval flight surgeon, was mission specialist on Columbia. Selected by NASA in April 1996, Clark was making her first spaceflight.

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