Born: 1962 (Karnal, Haryana, India)
Died: 2003 (no data available)
Biography:
Kalpana Chawla (17 March 1962 – 1 February 2003) was an Indian-born American astronaut and aerospace engineer who made history as the first woman of Indian origin to fly to space. Born in Karnal, Haryana, Chawla showed an early interest in aviation and would often visit local flying clubs with her father. Her passion for flight led her to pursue a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Punjab Engineering College, India.
In 1982, Chawla moved to the United States to further her education and obtained a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1984. She went on to earn a second Master’s degree in 1986 and a PhD in aerospace engineering in 1988 from the University of Colorado Boulder.
Chawla began her career at NASA Ames Research Center in 1988, where she focused on computational fluid dynamics research. Her contributions to the field are evident in numerous technical journals and conference papers. She later joined Overset Methods, Inc. as vice president and Research Scientist, specializing in simulation of moving multiple body problems.
With her passion for aviation and extensive piloting experience, Chawla held Certified Flight Instructor rating for airplanes, gliders, and Commercial Pilot licenses for single and multi-engine airplanes, seaplanes, and gliders. She became a naturalized U.S. citizen in April 1991 and subsequently applied for the NASA Astronaut Corps. Chawla was accepted into the corps in March 1995 and was selected for her first space flight mission.
Chawla’s first space mission, STS-87, commenced on 19 November 1997, as part of the six-astronaut crew aboard Space Shuttle Columbia. Not only did Chawla become the first Indian woman to travel to space, but she also made history as the primary robotic arm operator during the mission. Over the course of the mission, Chawla traveled an astonishing 10.67 million km, equivalent to 252 orbits around the Earth. Her dedication and intelligence were evident as she conducted various tasks and experiments while logging more than 376 hours (15 days and 16 hours) in space.
Tragically, Chawla’s second flight, STS-107, proved to be her last. On 1 February 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated during its re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere, resulting in the loss of all seven crew members. As a dedicated astronaut and pioneer for women, Chawla’s untimely death was mourned by the entire world.
In recognition of her remarkable contributions and ultimate sacrifice, Chawla was posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, the highest award given for achievements in space exploration. Her memory and legacy live on through the numerous streets, universities, and institutions that bear her name, serving as a tribute to her groundbreaking achievements and exemplary spirit.
Awards:
– Congressional Space Medal of Honor (posthumously awarded)