The astronaut, fighter pilot and commander of The Shuttle Columbia Rick Husband (b. 12 July 1957 — d. 1 Feb 2003) used to watching him a future astronaut in childhood days. When he was a child he used to watch other astronauts, the moon, the sun and milky waves on TV. Since then, he used to dream of becoming a pilot and travel the unknown, unending sky of millions of stars and planets. His inclination toward the space was more than any of his hobbies.
He was more interested, and used to run at watching flying planes sometimes in the backyard or in the front yard. Those moments Rick was simply treasuring to boost his strength and keep up to pursue his goal of life. Husband said that there was a spiritual connection between his first and second interview at NASA. However, He claimed that he decided upon the god’s acceptance (let it happen according to god) and started sailing on a long wonderful journey in the space.
“This thing about astronaut was not that important as I thought it was, and I finally came to the point, OK god I don't care for what or where I go to or where you send me. I just wanna to try to do those things. Somebody who wanna live the life the way god wanted. I wanted to be a good husband and good father.”
Rick Husband
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At the age of 17 he was trained pilot, graduated with honours in 1975 from the Amarillo High School. Husband did bachelor of science in Mechanical Engineering from the Texas tech university in 1980 and soon became a pilot in the air force of the United States. Rick travelled twice in the space, the first time as Pilot of STS-96 (the first shuttle flight to dock at the International Space Station) and Commander of STS-107 (The Space Shuttle Columbia)
Rick was a down-to-earth individual and had never been rude to anyone and not remembered him denied any request. One of such requests to Rick was regarding a stamp collection. A proof yet there, where we can get to know how his politeness still exist into the words. There is a letter to Mr Gerstley on January 3, 1996.
Letter of Rick Husband to Gerstley regarding his signature stamp collection
Michael J Gerstley 5819 Rohn Way San Jose CA 95123 Dear Mr Gerstley, Please find enclosed an autograph stamp and the additional stamp you sent me so long ago. Please forgive me for taking so long in replying to your request (first & second). Our first year here in Huston has found me scrambling to keep up with work and family demand. I think your collection sounds terrific! My dad was an avid stamp collector and I know what a labour of love these collections can be. Again, please forgive my tardiness in answering your request. I hope you have a blessed and successful new year for yourself and your autograph collection.
Further, at the 10th death anniversary of Rick Husband and other crew, six-members (of Space Shuttle, Columbia including Kalpana Chawla, William C MC Cool, Michael P Anderson, David M Brown, Laurel Clark, and Ilan Ramon). His widow wife Evelyn Husband spoken at Mirror memorial, Kennedy Space Centre Florida. The Columbia Shuttle tragedy which had shaken the entire world on 1st Feb 2003 when it was disintegrated upon re-entering. Evelyn spoke about the Christian faith of Rick had.
We work really hard to live in the present and look forward to the future,” she said Monday. “And I have to find that place in my gut to be able to talk about it without the devastation. … But Rick was worth it. It’s a testimony, I guess, of how much he meant to me, how much the crew meant to us. Continue reading…
Evelyn Husband at Kennedy Space Centre Florida
She is a co-author of the book “High Calling” (Available to buy at Amazon-US and Amazon-IN) the book is all about Rick, his journey to space, struggles, faith and his courageous life.
The last day of Rick Husband had not set foot back on the earth, it was a disaster of The Shuttle Columbia on the 1st Feb 2003, Rick Husband, including six, were died. The shuttle Columbia was running toward the earth’s atmosphere, it was 231,000 feet (70.41 km) above the California coastline travelling at 23 times the speed of sound (The actual speed of Shuttle 17500 miles (28,163.52 km) per hour). Seven crew members along with Rick (including Kalpana Chawla, William C MC Cool, Michael P Anderson, David M Brown, Laurel Clark, and Ilan Ramon) were on the board that broken into pieces 22 minutes before landing.
