<Li> 8: 57: 24 (EI + 795): Columbia passed just north of Albuquerque . </Li> <Li> 8: 58: 00 (EI + 831): At this point, wing leading - edge temperatures typically decreased to 2,880 ° F (1,580 ° C). </Li> <Li> 8: 58: 20 (EI + 851): Columbia crossed from New Mexico into Texas . Speed: Mach 19.5; altitude: 209,800 feet (63.9 km; 39.73 mi). </Li> <Dl> <Dd> At about this time, the Orbiter shed a Thermal Protection System tile, the most westerly piece of debris that has been recovered . Searchers found the tile in a field in Littlefield, Texas, just northwest of Lubbock . </Dd> </Dl>

Who was responsible for the space shuttle columbia disaster