As everyone waits for the safe return of Sunita Williams, they also remember Kalpana Chawla on her birthday. The Indian American astronaut was killed in 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia and the crew perished during entry, 16 minutes prior to scheduled landing. The crew was on a 16 day mission for science and research and had successfully conducted approximately 80 experiments. They were aboard STS-107 Columbia from January 16 to February 1, 2003.
Here are a few things about her everyone must know:
Kalpana Chawla was born on March 17, 1962 in Karnal, Haryana, India to Banarsi Lal Chawla and Sanjogta Kharbanda.A graduate from Tagore School, Karnal, India, in 1976, Kalpana holds a Bachelor of science degree in aeronautical engineering from Punjab Engineering College, India, 1982. She holds Master of science degree in aerospace engineering from University of Texas, 1984 and a Doctorate of philosophy in aerospace engineering from University of Colorado, 1988.
She started working at NASA Ames Research Center in 1988.
In 1994, she was selected by NASA and the next year she reported to Johnson Space Center in March 1995 as an astronaut candidate in the 15th Group of Astronauts. “In November, 1996, Kalpana Chawla was assigned as mission specialist and prime robotic arm operator on STS-87. In January 1998, she was assigned as crew representative for shuttle and station flight crew equipment, and subsequently served as lead for Astronaut Office’s Crew Systems and Habitability section. She flew on STS-87 (1997) and STS-107 (2003), logging 30 days, 14 hours and 54 minutes in space,” NASA says.

Tributes to the Indian origin astronaut

“Remembering India’s ‘Space Star’ Kalpana Chawla, the first woman astronaut of Indian origin to go to space, on her birth anniversary. Her journey continues to inspire women the world over to believe in their dreams. A big salute to the high-flyer,” Dr. Jyoti Eknath Gaikwad, has posted on X.
“On her birth anniversary, we remember Kalpana Chawla, the pioneering Indian-born female astronaut who significantly elevated India’s global standing in space exploration. Her legacy serves as a powerful symbol of both female empowerment and gender equality, and she remains a perpetual source of inspiration for millions,” Mallikarjun Kharge has posted remembering her.