NACOGDOCHES, Texas -- NASA confirms that an object found in drought-stricken Lake Nacogdoches is from space shuttle Columbia.
Nacogdoches police on Monday announced recovery of the item, described as about 4 feet in diameter and "full of mud." Police say the piece was found in an isolated part of Lake Nacogdoches where water levels have dropped dramatically.
NASA said the tank had been stored in Columbia’s fuselage.
Columbia broke apart over Texas in February 2003, killing all seven astronauts on board. The debris that fell from the skies was scattered from North Texas to Louisiana.
Houston restaurant owner Bill Sadler happened to be on Lake Toledo Bend that fateful morning.
"And then we heard this large boom," Bill Sadler. "I saw splashes. I wasn’t looking for things falling. I wasn’t thinking about that. I thought it was fish and frogs jumping."
George Abbey was director of JSC until just before the shuttle crash.
"It brings back very vivid memories of the crew and that day," said Abbey.
He said the crash is also an important reminder of the dangers that lie ahead for future space endeavors.
"And it should give pause for people to think about these commercial enterprises that are going to carry people in space, that you aren’t going to take short cuts," Abbey said.
Sgt. Greg Sowell says the lower water level has exposed a larger than normal area on the north side of the lake.
Now the drought has pulled back the curtain on a piece of Columbia uncovered after 8 years hidden in the murky water of Lake Nacogdoches.
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