The official investigation is focusing on the possibility that protective heat-resistant tiles may have been damaged during lift-off on January 16. Meanwhile, the search continues for remains of the astronauts and the shuttle. Pieces of the shuttle and humain remains have been located in both Texas and Louisiana.

President Bush is scheduled to address a memorial service, later today and the families of the fallen astronauts have issued a joint statement of support for continuation of space exploration.

Controversy clouds the Columbia disaster, however, as it is not yet clear what the full purpose of the mission was. Global Network Against Weapons & Nuclear Power in Space reports that a Taos, New Mexico news reporter interviewed a NASA official who said that there were at least three military projects on-board the Columbia shuttle mission and that virtually all NASA missions are now "dual use", combining military preparation and scientific research.

Environmental damage is also a concern and the Associated Press reports that local authorities in the area are saying that radioactive contamination did occur and that “one woman, who owns a large ranch in the affected area, had been told to leave the ranch by NASA after lots of debris was found there.”