Editing Space Shuttle Columbia disaster (section)

=== Launch and debris strike ===
[[File:STS107Launch NASA.gif|thumb|STS-107 ignition, launch and lift-off of ''Columbia''.]]
''Columbia'' was launched from the [[Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A]] (LC-39A) at 10:39:00{{spaces}}am. At T+81.7{{spaces}}seconds, a piece of foam approximately {{convert|21|to|27|in|cm|sigfig=2}} long and {{convert|12|to|18|in|cm|sigfig=2}} wide broke off from the left bipod on the ET. At T+81.9{{spaces}}seconds, the foam struck the [[reinforced carbon–carbon]] (RCC) panels on ''Columbia''{{'}}s left wing at relative velocity of {{convert|625|to|840|ft/s|mph km/h|sigfig=3}}.{{r|caib_report|p=34}} The foam's low [[ballistic coefficient]] caused it to lose speed immediately after separating from the ET, and the orbiter ran into the slower foam.{{r|caib_report|p=60}} Neither the mission nor ground crew noticed the debris strike at the time.{{r|caib_report}}{{Reference page|page=140}} The SRBs separated from the ET at T+2{{spaces}}minutes and 7{{spaces}}seconds, followed by the ET's separation from the orbiter at T+8{{spaces}}minutes 30{{spaces}}seconds.{{r|caib_report}}{{Reference page|page=35}} The ET separation was photographed by Anderson and recorded by Brown, but they did not record the bipod with missing foam.{{r|caib_report}}{{Reference page|page=148}} At T+43{{spaces}}minutes, ''Columbia'' completed its orbital insertion as planned.{{r|caib_report}}{{Reference page|page=35}}