On this date, Jan. 16, 2003, Space Shuttle Columbia launched on its ill-fated flight on the STS-107 mission. During liftoff, a frozen chunk of foam from the external fuel tank fell off, crashing into the orbiter’s wing and leaving a pizza box sized hole in the heat-resistant tiles which protected the orbiters upon reentry.

On Feb. 1, Columbia entered Earth’s atmosphere and, as super heated plasma burned through the orbiter’s wing, it began to disintegrate. All seven astronauts onboard perished.