University of Denver freshmen Tracey Garvens and Kelly Brum couldn’t get through when they called home to get more information about the space shuttle Columbia after it exploded over their home state of Texas on Feb. 1.

“I called home as soon as it happened,”said Garvens. “Since I was far away, I didn’t know what was going on.”

She wanted to know if her parents had heard or seen anything.

“My mom heard a loud noise when the shuttle exploded,” said Garvens. “There was a lot of panic going on.”

Kelly Brum, who comes from Dallas, talked to a close friend about the shuttle explosion.

“My friend got up at 8 a.m. to see the shuttle go through her part of Texas, but it never came,” said Brum.

Laura Danly, assistant professor of the Physics and Astronomy Department, attended a colloquium Thursday to hear about the numerous studies the astronauts conducted on their 16-day mission.

“The physics department may have a little more knowledge and insight to debate the details and impact the explosion may have on NASA and its program,” said Danly.

Danly said that she believes the outlook is still positive for future manned space flight and that space exploration will continue to enjoy support.

“I know that if they said, ‘You want to fly?'” I’d go tomorrow,” said Danly.