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NASA Paid Millions To Families Of Columbia's Crew

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Apr 15, 2007 9:32 am US/Eastern

NASA Paid Millions To Families Of Columbia's Crew

jm/ap
CAPE CANAVERAL (CBS4) ― Family members of the astronauts who died in the space shuttle Columbia disaster in 2003 received nearly $27 million dollars in settlements from NASA.

Recently released information shows that former FBI Director William Webster helped negotiate $26.6 million dollar in settlements with the families. NASA obtained money for the settlements through a congressional appropriation in 2004. The released documents did not note how much money each family received, but Jon Clark, husband of Columbia astronaut Laurel Clark, said the figures were on the "low side" of what families were seeking.

Columbia broke apart in 2003 because a piece of insulating foam broke off the shuttle during liftoff and caused damage. The shuttle disintegrated on re-entry over Texas. All seven astronauts aboard died.

(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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