Having grown complacent about the glories and dangers of journeys into space, many people had forgotten that the shuttle was even in flight Feb. 1 when they heard the sad news of the loss of Columbia and its crew. In the days that followed, however, we learned much about a group of people that gave us great models of life-much of which, unfortunately, we never would have realized had the tragedy not occurred.

The Columbia crew was a diverse group of men and women, not only in its national and ethnic origins, but also in each member's background. Working toward a common goal, they did not let their differences divide them, but rather concentrated on the things that brought them together.

They clearly enjoyed life and the work they had chosen. Whether in films of their training, their preflight appearances or their in-flight work, they always seemed to be smiling-big, wide, grinning smiles that conveyed sheer delight and elation. Absolute passion for their work was evident in the joy in which they described every aspect of what they were doing and what they aimed to accomplish.

There is little doubt of their commitment to their goals. For some, that commitment began as early as age 4 or 5 with a dream to fly airplanes. For others, it was evidenced by how they overcame barriers and obstacles with perseverance and focus-an Indian woman who came to the United States and received a doctorate in aerospace; a woman who became not only a physician, but a Navy flight surgeon as well and who performed medical evacuations from submarines; and an Air Force pilot who applied to be an astronaut four times before being accepted.

Neither is there doubt about their commitment to their families and their communities. They were models of individuals who, while doing great things in their work, made time to be with the people they cared about and to give back to the places they had lived throughout their lives.

Finally, the people who knew these astronauts all speak of their humbleness and lack of egotism-an egotism that they might have rightfully developed given their knowledge and expertise. Although the astronauts themselves rarely spoke of it, we know that it took colossal courage to travel into space to pursue knowledge that has and will continue to improve life for all of us.

As Columbia came down over Texas and Louisiana, the shuttle and its crew found a permanent home in the sky, in the Earth and in our hearts. The crew of Columbia leaves us a legacy of passion, courage, joy and commitment, and is an example of how to approach our own lives and our own work. Their sudden passing, as well as learning so much about them too late, serves as a reminder to appreciate our lives and each other and not to wait to discover the depth of wonder and accomplishment in each of our colleagues and friends.

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