Columbia Exhibit Commemorative

 Columbia Exhibit Commemorative  The design highlights the lifespan of OV-102 Columbia, starting with the launch of STS-1 in 1981 to the tragic loss during reentry in 2003.   It’s deliberate that the Earth illustrated is from my Final Flight memorial patch. Columbia is depicted flying towards the rising Sun above three trajectories that evoke the Astronaut Pin.   On February 1, 2003 President George W. Bush addressed the nation in remarks that ended with these words:  “The same Creator who names the stars also knows the names of the seven souls we mourn today. The crew of the shuttle Columbia did not return safely to Earth; yet we can pray that all are safely home.”   Astronaut Robert Crippen eulogized Columbia with these words that also helped inspire this design.   “I'm sure that Columbia, which had traveled millions of miles and made that fiery re-entry 27 times before struggled mightily in those last moments to bring her crew home safely once again. She wasn't successful.   Because