Posted: Mon, Feb 24, 2003, 8:42 AM ET (1342 GMT)
Search teams found several metal fragments in the Nevada desert this weekend that could come from the space shuttle Columbia. The searchers, combing the desert 275 kilometers north of Las Vegas near the Utah border, found several "foil-like" metal fragments on both Saturday and Sunday. Investigators were unsure if the debris was from Columbia, although one United Space Alliance employee aiding the search told the AP that he was "80 percent sure" the debris was from Columbia. The search was started after satellite images reportedly indicated evidence of debris in the area, which was under the flight path of the orbiter during reentry. A volunteer from a local sheriff's office said NASA officials told him a piece of the shuttle's landing gear might also be in the area. If the debris can be positively identified as coming from a specific portion of the orbiter it could help investigators pin down the cause of the shuttle accident.

Related Links:

•  Houston Chronicle article
•  AP article
•  Reuters article