Editor's note: On February 1, 2003, the world listened in shock to the news reports of the tragic end of mission STS-107, when the space shuttle Columbia disintegrated upon re-entry into the earth's atmosphere, killing all seven astronauts on board. Among the seven who died was Ilan Ramon, an Israeli Air Force colonel who participated in the mission, making the tragedy especially poignant for the Jewish community.

We bring you here some of the reactions to his journey and mission recorded before and after the tragedy.