Kalpana Chawla’s Birth Anniversary: Her Clear Focus on Aeronautics- First Women of India Origin to Venture into Space

Kalpana Chawla was born on March 17, 1962, in the small state of Karnal, Haryana. From a young age, she had a fascination for the skies. She expressed her interest in aerospace but was denied by her father, Banarsi Lal Chawla.

Her journey inspired many young women to pursue careers in science and engineering. Many aspiring astronauts look up to Kalpana Chawla as a role model. Her work at NASA contributed significantly to advancements in aerospace technology.

She attended Tagore Ball Niketan Senior Secondary School in Karnal and graduated with a degree in aeronautical engineering from the Punjab Engineering College in Chandigarh. She traveled to the US to pursue her master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas in 1982, followed by a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1988. Her academic success laid the right path for her future career at NASA.

She started her career by working at NASA’s Ames Research Centre, where she researched computational fluid dynamics on vertical and short takeoff and landing.

In 1994, she joined Johnson Space Center as an astronaut and was assigned to the robotic division of NASA Astronaut Corps in 1995.

Kalpana Chawla’s First Space Mission STS-87

In 1997, as a mission specialist and backup flight engineer, She became the first woman of Indian origin to go to space. In this mission, she was assigned to deploy one of the shuttle’s payloads – the Spartan research module. As part of this mission, she studied how to mix liquids to create specific metal combinations that are further used in computer chips in the Microgravity Payload Mission. In the STS-87 mission, she traveled 10.4 million miles in 252 orbits of the Earth, spending over 376 hours (15 days and 16 hours) in space.

Her Second space mission STS-107

In 2000, She was part of a multidisciplinary scientific mission. While in orbit, she performed many experiments, researching astronomy, combustion, crystal growth, granular materials, and properties of haze. In total, 80 experiments were conducted by the crew members, showcasing her dedication to advancing scientific knowledge.

On returning to Earth’s atmosphere, the shuttle’s external fuel tank had damaged the left wing, affecting the shuttle’s thermal protection system. The tragic accident occurred just 16 minutes before the scheduled landing.

Some inspiring facts about Kalpana Chawla

1. First Indian woman to go to space – She created history in 1997 by becoming the first woman of Indian origin to go to space on the Space Shuttle Columbia.
   
2. From Karnal to the Universe – Born in Karnal, Haryana, she fearlessly pursued her dreams and became an astronaut at NASA.
   
3. Aerospace engineer and pilot – Before becoming an astronaut, she earned a degree in aeronautical engineering and was also a certified flight instructor.
   
4. Challenged social norms – At a time when women in India faced many restrictions, she broke stereotypes and moved ahead in a male-dominated field.
   
5. Never gave up – He faced many challenges but never let setbacks determine his journey, proving that dedication leads to success.

Her life and achievements inspire millions of aspiring scientists, engineers, and astronauts. She worked hard to make her dream come true by breaking barriers and challenging stereotypes. She remains a symbol of determination and resilience.

Some Indian and Indian-origin astronauts

1. Rakesh Sharma

First Indian to go to space, Flew into space in 1984 on board the Soviet spacecraft Soyuz T-11 as part of the Inter cosmos programme. Famous for answering the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s question: “How does India look from space?” → “Saare Jahan Se Accha” (Better than the whole world).

2. Kalpana Chawla

First woman of Indian origin to go to space, Born in India, she became a NASA astronaut and flew on the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997 and again in 2003. Tragically, she lost her life during the Columbia disaster (STS-107) in 2003, but her legacy remains an inspiration.

Her story emphasizes the importance of perseverance and resilience in achieving one’s dreams.

3. Sunita Williams

Indian-born American astronaut, Holds the record for most spaceflights by a female astronaut and has spent 322 days in space over two missions (Expedition 14/15 and Expedition 32/33). Planned to fly again on Boeing Starliner (crewed flight test) in 2024.

4. Raja Chari

The Indian-born NASA astronaut flew on the SpaceX Crew-3 mission (2021-2022) as part of Expedition 66/67 to the International Space Station (ISS). A US Air Force colonel, he was part of NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon.

Upcoming Indian Astronauts (🇮🇳 Gaganyaan Mission – ISRO)

India’s space agency, ISRO, is preparing for its first manned space flight, “Gaganyaan”, planned for 2025. The selected astronauts (IAF pilots) have completed training in Russia and will be the first Indians to travel to space after Rakesh Sharma!

These astronauts prove that Indians continue to make their mark in space exploration!