The Space Shuttle Columbia Crisis refers to the time period of February 2003, in which seven astronauts aboard Space Shuttle Columbia were stranded in space. A joint American-Soviet mission was held in order to rescue the astronauts, and bring Columbia back to Earth. The ensuing rescue mission was dubbed the "most dangerous rescue mission in all recorded history." The mission brought to light the risk of space travel that had not been felt since Apollo 13 in April 1970.