What are the decomposers in the underwater ecosystem? A: The decomposers in an underwater ecosystem are animal-like organisms called protists, fungi and bacteria. Referred to as saprotrophs, these organisms decom... Full Answer >
On 1 February 2003 the space shuttle Columbia exploded as it was attempting re-entry after a 16-day mission. All seven astronauts on board, including the first Israeli in space, were killed. Tributes to the astronauts were led by US President George W Bush.
The disaster was the second tragedy in the Space Shuttle program after Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986, which broke apart and killed the seven-member crew 73 seconds after liftoff. During the launch of STS-107, Columbia's 28th mission, a piece of foam insulation broke off from the Space Shuttle external tank and struck the left wing of the orbiter.