Early Life and Education: Kalpana Chawla was born on March 17, 1962, in Karnal, Haryana, India. She completed her early education in India and earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh.
Doctorate in Aerospace Engineering: Chawla obtained a Master's degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington and went on to earn a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder.
NASA CareerIn 1995, Kalpana Chawla joined NASA as a research scientist at the Ames Research Center. She worked on various projects related to aerodynamics and computational fluid dynamics.
First Space MissionChawla's first space mission was as a mission specialist on the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997, serving as a primary robotic arm operator. This made her the first Indian-born woman to travel to space.
Second Space MissionKalpana Chawla's second space mission was aboard the ill-fated Space Shuttle Columbia in 2003. She served as a mission specialist and was responsible for conducting various experiments related to earth observation and space research.
Tragic Accident:On February 1, 2003, tragedy struck when the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated during re-entry, resulting in the loss of the entire crew, including Kalpana Chawla. The accident was attributed to damage sustained during the launch.
Legacy and Honors: Kalpana Chawla's life and contributions to space exploration have been widely recognized and honored. Several awards, scholarships, and institutions have been named after her, including the Kalpana Chawla Award presented by the Indian government.
Inspirational FigureInspirational Figure: Chawla's achievements and dedication to her work continue to inspire people, especially aspiring scientists and astronauts, around the world.
Spaceflight ContributionsDuring her time as an astronaut, Chawla logged 30 days, 14 hours, and 54 minutes in space, completing 480 orbits of the Earth.
Personal Interests Outside of her professional life, Kalpana Chawla enjoyed flying, hiking, and traveling. She was also passionate about music, particularly classical Indian music, and played the piano.