CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. -- NASA declared an emergency and feared the worst after losing communication with space shuttle Columbia as the ship and its seven astronauts soared over Texas several minutes before its expected landing Saturday.
As the minutes wore on, there appeared to be no hope for their survival. Among those on board was Ilan Ramon, the first Israeli astronaut.
Television stations showed what appeared to be debris falling, and NASA warned Texas residents to beware of any falling objects. NASA also announced that search and rescue teams were being mobilized in the Dallas and Fort Worth areas.