Kalpana Chawla (1962 – 2003) is the first Indian woman to fly in space and was an Indian-American astronaut. Kalpana’s amazing life was successful, and these are some facts:
- Early Life and Education: Kalpana was born March 17, 1962, in Karnal, Haryana, India. Kalpana was fascinated with airplanes from a young age. In 1982 Kalpana obtained a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Engineering from Punjab Engineering College. After that Kalpana wanted to follow her dreams, and moved to the United States, and went to the University of Texas at Arlington where she received a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering in 1984. Kalpana then earned her second Master’s degree in 1986, and a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from University of Colorado Boulder in 1988.
- NASA Career: Beginning in 1988, Kalpana was at NASA Ames Research Center and completed research in computational fluid dynamics. In 1991, Kalpana became a naturalized U.S. citizen, and in December of 1994 was selected by NASA to be part of the astronaut corps.
- First Space Mission (STS-87): Kalpana’s first space mission was on Space Shuttle Columbia flight STS-87, launched on November 19, 1997. Kalpana flew as mission specialist and primary robotic arm operator. Kalpana spent greater than 15 days, 16 hours in space and orbited Earth 252 times. Kalpana was the first Indian woman, and the second Indian person to fly in space.
- Second Space Mission and the Columbia Disaster (STS-107): In 2000, Kalpana was chosen for her second flight, STS-107, again on the Space Shuttle Columbia. The mission launched on January 16, 2003, as a 16-day scientific research mission. Unfortunately, the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated as it re-entered the Earth’s atmosphere on February 1, 2003, killing all 7 astronauts on board, including Kalpana Chawla.
- Legacy and Honors: Kalpana Chawla’s life and accomplishments have inspired millions of people across the globe, especially young women in India and elsewhere, to pursue their aspirations in STEM areas and in space. She received the Congressional Space Medal of Honor posthumously and also the NASA Space Flight Medal and the NASA Distinguished Service Medal posthumously.
There are many organizations, awards and institutions named in her honor, including:
o A meteorological series of satellites by India was named “Kalpana,” the first of that series, “MetSat-1,” was renamed “Kalpana-1.”
o Seven hills on the Columbia Hills on Mars were named after the seven lost astronauts, including, “Chawla Hill.”
o The Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College in Karnal, Haryana, is named after her.
o Various scholarships and awards were established in her honor to inspire women in science and engineering.
Happy to again see the journey of Kalpana Chawla from a little town in India to the first Indian woman in space, speaks of her courage, determination and passion. Her life continues to provide significant inspiration across generations.
