COLUMBIA   DISASTER

Jupiter ruler ascendant is in Leo in the 5th of the country's investments, on the dark side of the house, in applying opposition to Neptune. Neptune coruler of the ascendant is peregrine in Aquarius in the 11th house of hopes and wishes, also on the dark side of the house. A lot of hopes and wishes were riding on the shuttle, but with both planets on the dark side of the house, in the sign following the one on the house cusp, severe problems are expected. The dark side of the house works very much like an interception, while peregrine planets are wandering aimlessly without any essential dignity. With Jupiter in the 5th in opposition to Neptune there is an indication that the USA is starving the space program of adequate funding.
    The ascendant rules the physical condition of any person or vehicle asked about, and this opposition of its two rulers indicates severe physical problems with the shuttle. Pisces is the last sign in the zodiac, and it has a well-deserved reputation as the sign of failure when it is on the ascendant. Sun natural ruler of vitality and also ruler of the 6th house of illness is peregrine in Capricorn in the 11th, indicating delicate physical health. The Moon ruler of most of the 4th of end of life is dignified in Cancer in the 4th, but on the dark side of the house. The Moon is in applying opposition to Mercury ruler 4th and Chiron, again indicating something physically wrong that is like to end the life of the shuttle's passengers. The Moon rules activity, and the activity is not moving in the right direction, some hidden flaw has not been dealt with.
    Mars ruler of the 8th of death is dignified in  Scorpio in the 8th, and about to change signs to Sagittarius. This is a refranation, and the journey will not end as intended. Mars is in applying conjunction to the malefic South Node, indicating a disaster coming up because anything in the same degree as the Nodes is a disaster. Mars also squares Uranus in its dignity in Aquarius in the 12th of secret misfortune, which can indicates electrical problems or explosions. Two planets in dignity and hard aspect indicate the extreme severity of the problem. Pluto coruler 8th is peregrine in Sagittarius in the 9th of travel in opposition to Saturn the "grim reaper", ruler of the misfortunate 12th. There will be deadly misfortunes on this trip. The last aspect of the Moon is an opposition to the Sun ruler 6th, so the final outcome of the journey is severe physical illness or problems with the shuttle that will end in the death of its passengers.

Saturn ruler 1st of physical condition is peregrine in Gemini in the 4th of endings, in separating opposition to Venus ruler 8th of death, and in applying opposition to Pluto coruler of the 9th of travel. Both Pluto and Venus are peregrine in Sagittarius the sign of travel in the 10th. Mars ruler of the 9th of travel is conjunct the malefic fixed star Antares at 9 Sag, a star connected with fire and blindness. The Sun, main significator of the event and ruler of vitality is in its detriment in Aquarius in the misfortunate 12th, separating from combustion with the Moon. According to classical astrology, this is the worst condition possible in any chart. The Sun is in mutually applying opposition to Jupiter ruler of the 10th of success in the Sagittarius decanate of Leo in 6th house of illness, indicating something was already wrong with the shuttle before embarking on its return journey. Leo is on the cusp of the 7th of partners, indicating NASA's partners in this venture are not the best. The Moon is separating from combustion with the Sun, peregrine in Aquarius in the 12th and making an opposition to Jupiter. The Moon rules the 6th of illness, bringing the illness to the Sun. The malefic South Node is exactly conjunct the 10th house of success, indicating failure instead. The last aspect of the Moon is a conjunction with explosive Uranus, so the shuttle exploded  on re-entry. Several of the insulating tiles had been knocked off by a piece of frozen foam, exposing the shuttle wing to the heat of re-entry.