The NASA report found the astronauts knew for about 40 seconds that they did not have control of the shuttle before they likely were knocked unconscious as Columbia broke apart around them . NASA released a report Tuesday on the last minutes of Space Shuttle Columbia . Seven astronauts died when the spacecraft broke up while returning to Earth in 2003 . Report : Astronauts knew for about 40 seconds that they 'd lost control of craft . But it was too late, and they were all killed by debris from the shuttle's disintegrating wing.
NASA released a report Tuesday on the last minutes of Space Shuttle Columbia . Seven astronauts died when the spacecraft broke up while returning to Earth in 2003 . Report : Astronauts knew for about 40 seconds that they 'd lost control of craft . But it was too late, and they were all killed by debris from the shuttle's disintegrating wing.