Rocket Launches in 2003

Spaceflight in 2003: Columbia breaks up during reentry on 1 February, killing its seven crew, after foam from the external tank damaged its wing at launch. The shuttle is grounded, and two-person crews keep the station running with Soyuz and Progress. In October Yang Liwei orbits Earth aboard Shenzhou 5, and China becomes the third country to launch a person into space. Spirit, Opportunity and Mars Express leave for Mars.