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This identification badge marked its wearer as participating in the Columbia Accident Investigation Board, which determined the direct and indirect causes of the loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia during STS-107. It belonged to Dennis Jenkins, a consulting aerospace engineer for the Space Shuttle Program, and author of Space Shuttle: The History of the National Space Transportation System, a definitive book detailing the development and first 100 flights of the space shuttles. Jenkins served as an investigator, researcher, and support staff for the CAIB.

The CAIB determined that a chunk of foam from the external tank broke loose during the launch of STS-107 and damaged the leading edge of the left wing of the space shuttle orbiter during takeoff. That damage, undetected during the duration of the mission, led directly to the loss of the crew and vehicle on February 1, 2003.

The identification badge was donated to the National Air and Space Museum by Dennis Jenkins in September 2011.

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin United States of America Type MEMORABILIA-People Manufacturer ANSER
 Dimensions 2-D - Unframed (H x W): 8.7 × 5.6cm (3 7/16 × 2 3/16 in.)
 Materials Plastic
Coating
 Inventory Number A20120083000 Credit Line Gift of Dennis R. Jenkins. Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
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