Space Shuttle Columbia Crew, 1995

Launched on October 20, 1995, the Space Shuttle Columbia mission was the fourth and final flight by Alabama-born astronaut Kathryn Thornton (top right). She served as payload commander, overseeing research in the portable United States Microgravity Laboratory that was carried on board. The Columbia exploded upon re-entry in January 2003, and Thornton served on the task force charged with studying the incident and recommending future disaster prevention efforts.

Photo courtesy of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.