An incorrect angle of re-entry through the earth's atmosphere could have caused the US Space Shuttle Columbia to disintegrate, according to Italian astronaut Mr Umberto Guidoni.
"It is too early to speculate on the precise causes of the accident but the images from Texas suggest that the Columbia broke up into at least three pieces due to an improper angle as it returned into the atmosphere," Mr Guidoni, who has participated in two space flights, told Italy's ANSA news agency.
"Re-entry through the atmosphere is one of the most critical moments in the mission of the shuttle. An error of several degrees [on re-entry] could provoke a catastrophe similar to what happened today," Mr Guidoni said.
"The angle of penetration should be at 40 degrees to the horizon ... The margin of error is at most three or four degrees. Beyond that range the shuttle becomes uncontrollable" he added.
AFP