East Texas Recovery Gallery

Learn how the largest land-based search and recovery effort in human history came together in the Pineywoods of East Texas.

The community contributed greatly to assist NASA in accomplishing an unprecedented air, ground and water search.

The dedication of thousands of volunteers from around the country was instrumental in the recovery of more than 85,000 pieces (representing about 34 percent of the shuttle) of the puzzle that were reassembled at Kennedy Space Center and aided NASA in a successful return to flight.

The recovery effort was an extraordinary effort of federal, state, and local agencies, volunteers from around the world, and everyday East Texans.