Let’s talk about a famous woman who was the first Indian-American astronaut to go to space. Her name is Kalpana Chawla. She’s a role model for many people because of her incredible achievements. Let’s learn more about her life and what she did.

Who is Kalpana Chawla

Kalpana Chawla was born on March 17, 1962, in Karnal, Haryana, into a traditional Punjabi Hindu family. Before starting school, Chawla didn’t have an official name. Her parents called her Montu, but when she went to school, she chose her own name from a list. She was an Indian-American astronaut who became the first woman of Indian origin to fly in space. Her story inspires many people. 

Kalpana Chawla showed that anyone, no matter where they come from, can do amazing things by becoming the first Indian-American woman in space. She was born into a community that tends to hold traditional beliefs, values, and customs, but she broke many traditions to become the first Indian-born female astronaut.

Education

She finished her schooling at Tagore Baal Niketan Senior Secondary School in Karnal. As a child, Chawla often visited local flying clubs and watched planes with her father. After getting a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Punjab Engineering College in India, she  was move to the United States in 1982. In 1984, she got a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington. Later, she earned another Master’s degree in 1986 and a PhD in aerospace engineering in 1988 from the University of Colorado Boulder.

Career

Kalpana Chawla started working at NASA in 1988. She researched how planes can take off and land vertically or in short distances. She wrote many papers about this. Later, in 1993, she became a vice president at Overset Methods, Inc. She focused on simulating how multiple objects move. Kalpana was also a certified flight instructor and pilot for different types of aircraft. She became a U.S. citizen in 1991 and joined NASA as an astronaut in 1995. She flew to space for the first time in 1997.

Kalpana Chawla’s Space Mission

Kalpana Chawla’s first space journey started on November 19, 1997, with the Space Shuttle Columbia’s mission STS-87. She was one of six astronauts on the team, and she made history by becoming the first Indian woman to go to space. While floating in space, she said, “You are just your intelligence.” During this mission, she traveled a whopping 10.67 million kilometers, equivalent to going around the Earth 252 times. In her 252 orbits around the Earth, she covered a distance of 10.46 million miles and spent over 376 hours (about 15 days and 16 hours) in space.

During STS-87, Chawla’s responsibilities included deploying the Spartan Satellite. However, the satellite had issues, leading Winston Scott and Takao Doi to perform a spacewalk to capture it. An investigation by NASA, lasting five months, cleared Chawla of any blame. They found mistakes in software interfaces and flight procedures. After STS-87, Chawla took on technical roles in the astronaut office, focusing on the space station.

Second space mission & death

Kalpana Chawla was chosen for her second space journey in 2000, part of the STS-107 crew. However, the mission faced delays due to various issues, like scheduling conflicts and technical problems with the shuttle engine. Finally, on January 16, 2003, Chawla went back to space aboard Space Shuttle Columbia for STS-107. This mission focused on around 80 experiments related to Earth and space science, technology, and astronaut health.

During the launch, a piece of foam insulation damaged Columbia’s wing. NASA knew about foam shedding before but didn’t investigate it fully. Unfortunately, during re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere, the damaged wing caused the spacecraft to break apart. This tragic event led to a pause in shuttle flights for over two years, similar to what happened after the Challenger disaster.

On February 1, 2003, Chawla and the rest of the crew lost their lives when Columbia disintegrated over Texas during reentry. Chawla’s remains, like those of her colleagues, were cremated and scattered at Zion National Park in Utah, following her wishes.

FAQS

What were Kalpana Chawla major achievements?

Kalpana Chawla’s major achievements include becoming the first Indian-American woman in space, flying on the Space Shuttle Columbia’s missions STS-87 in 1997 and STS-107 in 2003. She was also a certified flight instructor and pilot for various aircraft.

How did Kalpana Chawla’s early life influence her career as an astronaut?

Kalpana Chawla’s early interest in aviation, visiting flying clubs with her father, and her education in aeronautical engineering played a significant role in shaping her career as an astronaut. Her determination and passion for aerospace engineering led her to achieve remarkable success in the field.

What were the circumstances surrounding Kalpana Chawla’s tragic death?

Kalpana Chawla tragically lost her life along with the rest of the STS-107 crew when the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated during re-entry on February 1, 2003. This event was caused by damage to the shuttle’s wing, which occurred during launch due to foam insulation striking the wing.

What is Kalpana Chawla lasting legacy in the field of space exploration?

Kalpana Chawla’s legacy in the field of space exploration is one of inspiration and pioneering spirit. She continues to be remembered as a role model for her courage, dedication, and contributions to advancing our understanding of space science and technology.

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