Space

DATE=02/01/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=SPACE SHUTTLE (S-2nd UPDATE)

NUMBER=2-299100

BYLINE=DAVID McALARY

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

INTERNET=

VOICED AT:

/// EDS: Updates 2-299083 ///

INTRO: The U-S Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart in mid-air Saturday, minutes before it was to return to Earth. The U-S space agency, NASA, says none of the seven astronauts aboard appears to have survived. V-O-A's David McAlary reports.

TEXT: Just 16 minutes before Columbia's scheduled landing in Florida, mission controllers lost all radar and voice contact with it, as it passed high over Texas.

Television video shows it falling from the sky in several pieces, as it returned home after a 16-day scientific research mission.

As flags flew at half staff at all NASA facilities, NASA administrator Sean O'Keefe established an internal and an independent external investigation board to determine the cause of the disaster.

/// O'KEEFE ACT ///

This is indeed a tragic day for the NASA family, for the families of the astronauts, and likewise tragic for the nation.

/// END ACT ///

Security was tighter than usual at the Florida landing site, because the presence of Israel's first astronaut, Ilan Ramon, [ee-LAHN ruh-MOAN] prompted NASA fears that he might be the target of a terrorist attack.

However, NASA says there is no indication terrorism was involved in the shuttle's loss. (SIGNED)

NEB/DEM/JP/TW