#ThrowbackThursday: Space shuttle Columbia draws enthusiastic crowd in 1981

A crowd of spectators along SE 29 and I-40 watch as the space shuttle Columbia flies piggyback atop a modified Boeing 747 jet. This photo was published on Page 1 of The Daily Oklahoman on April 28, 1981, the day after the aircrafts had landed at Tinker Air Force Base for refueling and public viewing. An estimated 200,000 people came to see Columbia, which had been the first space shuttle to reach space on April 12 that same year. More than two decades later and after completing 27 successful missions, the Columbia space shuttle broke apart on Feb. 1, 2003, while re-entering the Earth's atmosphere, killing all seven astronauts aboard.

We run a #Throwback image each week, showcasing Oklahoma’s history. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @TheOklahoman_ and “Like” us at Facebook.com/TheOklahoman for more historical photos.

— Linda Lynn, News Research Editor

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: #ThrowbackThursday: Columbia space shuttle draws crowd in 1981