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We hear the last communication with the space shuttle Columbia before it broke up on reentry. NPR's Larry Abramson joins host Steve Inskeep to talk about some of the technical problems known thus far, such as temperature anomalies.

NPR's Brenda Wilson joins host Steve Inskeep to talk about the remarkable lives of the crew. We also hear the latest details on the investigation.

Troubleshooters are expected to scrutinize the shuttle Columbia's auxiliary power units, which help provide power to the orbiter's steering mechanisms during descent -- a task that requires highly flammable fuel. NPR's Howard Berkes joins host Steve Inskeep to talk about the role APUs play in reentry and why their redesign had been on NASA's to-do list.

NPR's Jackie Northam reports on the disaster's impact on America's contribution to the international space station. (This is a repeat from earlier in the show.)

NPR's Tom Gjelten joins host Steve Inskeep to discuss the national security concerns that have surrounded this shuttle Columbia mission since its inception -- its timing and the presence of an Israeli on board.

NPR's Ned Wharton captures reactions to the shuttle Columbia disaster from visitors at the National Air & Space Museum. (This is a repeat from earlier in the show.)

NPR's Tavis Smiley spoke with shuttle Columbia's pilot, Willie McCool, and payload commander Mike Anderson, as they orbited the Earth in late January.

Host Steve Inskeep is joined by Jim Pawelczik, who flew on the space shuttle Columbia in 1998 and knew several of the astronauts lost on Saturday.

Host Steve Inskeep reviews what is known so far about the shuttle Columbia disaster.

NPR science correspondent Chris Joyce joins host Steve Inskeep to talk about the space shuttle Columbia. The shuttle was the oldest in the fleet and had been retrofitted several times.