The report said it wasn't clear if the astronauts were already dead or just unconscious from the lethal lack of cabin pressure before the blunt
force of the spinning out-of-control shuttle would have killed them. The report detailed five "events" that were potentially lethal to the
crew.
Source.
This story was just released so there's still not much on it. I'm looking around to see if I can find the full report. I know it's a bit morbid but
I'd still like to read just what happened that day.
I just found the report:
The Columbia depressurization event occurred so rapidly that the crew
members were incapacitated within seconds, before they could configure the suit for full protection from loss of cabin pressure. Although circulatory
systems functioned for a brief time, the effects of the depressurization
were severe enough that the crew could not have regained consciousness. This event was lethal to the crew.
It's the latest report at the top of the following page:
Source.
[edit on 30-12-2008 by mrwupy]