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NPR's Andy Bowers reports from Palmdale, Calif., where the space shuttle Columbia was upgraded in 2001. Palmdale is near Edwards Air Force Base, which was the original landing site during the space shuttle program's infancy. It is still the alternate landing site.

Today President Bush was called upon for the second time to comfort a nation in mourning. He telephoned the families of the lost astronauts and then addressed the nation from the cabinet room. (This is a repeat from earlier in the show.)

Lt. Col. Dan Biggie, an Air Force chaplain, joins host Steve Inskeep from Cocoa Beach, Fla., where spectators had been waiting for the shuttle Columbia to land. He discusses the role of chaplains and how astronauts deal with the danger of their occupation. (This is a repeat from earlier in the show.)

NPR's Jackie Northam reports on the disaster's impact on America's contribution to the international space station. (This is a repeat from earlier in the show.)

Florida Senator Bill Nelson flew on the last shuttle mission before the 1986 Challenger explosion and joins host Steve Inkseep to share his perspective as a former astronaut and Floridian.

Host Steve Inskeep reviews what is known so far about the Columbia disaster.

NPR's Jennifer Ludden profiles the seven astronauts who perished aboard the space shuttle Columbia. (This is a repeat from earlier in the show.)

Afghanistan is promoting a new national currency by collecting old money -- most of it printed by warlords -- for a new type of bill. The old money was so devalued it required bags of cash to make major purchases. NPR's Renee Montagne and Torek Faradi, an adviser to the Afghan Central Bank.

NPR's Special Correspondent Susan Stamberg speaks with South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu about whether there is such a thing as a "just war." He says modern weapons of mass destruction make just war impossible, and that war should be outlawed. Tutu is the recipient of the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize. He adds the gross inequality in the world of health care, food, and education are the biggest sources of global instability.

Satirists Bruce Kluger and David Slavin wonder if there's anything that new Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist cannot do.