The correct answer for the time when the space shuttle Columbia lost contact with NASA is option 'C' - 9 a.m. To understand why this is the correct answer, let's examine the details surrounding the incident.

1. Introduction:
The space shuttle Columbia was a NASA spacecraft that tragically disintegrated during re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere on February 1, 2003. This incident led to the loss of all seven crew members on board.

2. Timeline of the Incident:
- The Columbia space shuttle took off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on January 16, 2003.
- Over the course of its mission, the shuttle conducted various scientific experiments and observations in space.
- On February 1, 2003, the space shuttle was scheduled to land at the Kennedy Space Center at approximately 9:16 a.m.

3. Loss of Contact:
- As the space shuttle was approaching Earth for re-entry, it encountered a critical problem in its left wing during its launch on January 16, 2003. A piece of foam insulation had detached from the external fuel tank and struck the shuttle's left wing, damaging the protective heat-resistant tiles.
- This damage went unnoticed during the mission, but it compromised the shuttle's integrity during re-entry.
- At around 8:00 a.m., the crew began their preparations for landing.
- However, at approximately 9:00 a.m., just 16 minutes before the scheduled landing time, the shuttle lost contact with NASA's Mission Control in Houston, Texas.
- The loss of communication indicated a serious problem, and efforts were made to establish contact with the shuttle, but all attempts failed.

4. Tragic Outcome:
- Following the loss of contact, debris from the disintegrating shuttle was observed over Texas and Louisiana.
- It was later determined that the damage to the left wing had caused the shuttle to break up during re-entry, leading to the loss of the entire crew.
- The investigation revealed that the foam strike had allowed hot gases to penetrate the wing, leading to structural failure and the eventual disintegration of the shuttle.

In conclusion, the space shuttle Columbia lost contact with NASA at approximately 9 a.m. on February 1, 2003. This tragic event highlighted the importance of thorough safety inspections and the need for constant vigilance in space exploration.