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NASA reports graphic details of Columbia deaths

WASHINGTON — A new NASA report says that the seat restraints, suits and helmets of the doomed crew of the space shuttle Columbia didn't work well leading to "lethal trauma" as the out-of-control ship broke apart, killing all seven astronauts.

In a graphic 400-page report, NASA further studied the Feb. 1, 2003, shuttle tragedy to help design a new spacecraft more likely to survive an accident.

Columbia disintegrated on re-entry to Earth after its mission because of damage to the shuttle's left wing shortly after launch. All seven crew members — commander Rick Husband, pilot William McCool, Michael Anderson, David Brown, Kalpana Chawla, Laurel Clark, and Ilan Ramon of Israel — died.

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