Kalpana Chawla

    1962 – 2003

    Aerospace Engineering
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    Who was Kalpana Chawla?

    Kalpana Chawla (1962–2003) was an Indian-born American astronaut and aerospace engineer. She was the first woman of Indian origin to go to space, and she died with six crewmates when Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart on re-entry in 2003.

    A Space Shuttle on the launch pad at dawn, the kind Kalpana Chawla flew on
    A Space Shuttle on the launch pad at dawn, the kind Kalpana Chawla flew on

    Key Achievement

    First woman of Indian origin to fly to space, logging over 372 hours aboard Space Shuttle Columbia

    Her story

    Kalpana Chawla was a pioneering astronaut and aerospace engineer who made history as the first woman of Indian origin to travel to space. Born in Karnal, India, she moved to the United States to pursue her dreams in aerospace engineering, earning a master's degree and Ph.D. from the University of Colorado. She joined NASA in 1994 and was selected for the astronaut program in 1995. In 1997, she flew on Space Shuttle Columbia as a mission specialist and primary robotic arm operator, logging over 372 hours in space. Her achievement inspired millions, particularly young girls in India and around the world, showing them that space exploration was within their reach. During her second spaceflight in 2003, the Columbia disintegrated during re-entry, and Chawla and her six crew members perished. Her legacy lives on as a symbol of determination, breaking barriers, and pursuing dreams against all odds. She has received numerous posthumous honors and continues to inspire generations of scientists and engineers.

    Questions people ask about Kalpana Chawla

    Who was the first Indian woman in space?

    Kalpana Chawla, who first flew aboard Space Shuttle Columbia on mission STS-87 in 1997.

    How did Kalpana Chawla die?

    She died on 1 February 2003, when Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart while returning to Earth at the end of mission STS-107. All seven crew members were killed.

    What did Kalpana Chawla study?

    She earned an aeronautical engineering degree in India, a master's from the University of Texas at Arlington and a PhD in aerospace engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder.

    How is Kalpana Chawla remembered?

    She was posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor. Schools, scholarships, a satellite and an asteroid are named after her.

    Sources & further reading

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