Orbits of Asteroids Named after Space Shuttle Columbia Crew
The 28th and final flight of Columbia (STS-107) was a 16-day mission dedicated to research in physical, life, and space sciences. The seven astronauts aboard Columbia worked 24 hours a day, in two alternating shifts, successfully conducting approximately 80 separate experiments. On February 1, 2003, the Columbia and its crew were lost over the southern United States during the spacecraftís re-entry into Earthís atmosphere. The following seven citations are dedicated to the final crew of the space shuttle Columbia.
(51823) Rickhusband = 2001 OY28
Discovered 2001 July 18 at Palomar by the JPL Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking Program. Rick D. Husband (1957-2003) was the commander of the space shuttle Columbia (STS-107).
(51824) Mikeanderson = 2001 OE30
Discovered 2001 July 19 at Palomar by the JPL Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking Program. Michael P. Anderson (1959-2003) was the payload commander of the space shuttle Columbia (STS-107).
(51825) Davidbrown = 2001 OQ33
Discovered 2001 July 19 at Palomar by the JPL Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking Program. David M. Brown (1956-2003) was a mission specialist on the space shuttle Columbia (STS-107).
(51826) Kalpanachawla = 2001 OB34
Discovered 2001 July 19 at Palomar by the JPL Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking Program. Kalpana Chawla (1961-2003) was a mission specialist on the space shuttle Columbia (STS-107).
(51827) Laurelclark = 2001 OH38
Discovered 2001 July 20 at Palomar by the JPL Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking Program. Laurel B. Clark (1961-2003) was a mission specialist on the space shuttle Columbia (STS-107).
(51828) Ilanramon = 2001 OU39
Discovered 2001 July 20 at Palomar by the JPL Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking Program. Ilan Ramon (1954-2003), an Israeli citizen, was a payload specialist on the space shuttle Columbia (STS-107).
(51829) Williemccool = 2001 OD41
Discovered 2001 July 21 at Palomar by the JPL Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking Program. William C. “Willie” McCool (1961-2003) was the pilot of the space shuttle Columbia (STS-107).
