On 1 February 2003 Nasa's Columbia spacecraft disintegrated on re-entering the Earth's atmosphere, killing the seven crew members, including the mission-specialist, Kalpana Chawla.

Discovery Channel will commemorate the first anniversary of the Columbia space shuttle crash and pay tribute to Kalpana Chawla with two specials. The first Coming Home From Space: The Science Of Re-Entry airs on 1 February 2004 from 7 to 8 pm with a repeat on 8 February from 1 to 2 pm. The second programme Destination Future: Space Exploration airs on 1 February from 8 to 9 pm and repeats on 8 February from 2 to 3 pm.

Of course today the excitement over the successful landing of Nasa's shutle Opportunity on Mars earlier this month has alleviated the tragedy of the Columbia disaster.