Kalpana Chawla, an Indian-born American astronaut, tragically met her demise aboard the Columbia space shuttle during an accident on February 1, 2003. Among those lost in the calamity were Rick Husband, David M. Brown, William C. McCool, Michael P. Anderson, Ilan Ramon, and Laurel Clark.
Hailing from Karnal, Haryana, Chawla developed a fascination for aircraft and flight from an early age. Accompanying her father to local flying clubs, she nurtured her passion for aviation. She attended Tagore Baal Niketan Senior Secondary School in Karnal before obtaining a Bachelor of Science in aeronautical engineering from Punjab Engineering College.
In pursuit of her dream to become an astronaut, Chawla immigrated to America in 1982. She obtained her Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1984 and later earned a doctorate in the same field. Joining NASA in 1988 marked the beginning of her illustrious career.
On November 19, 1997, Chawla embarked on her inaugural space journey as part of the Space Shuttle Columbia mission STS-87. This expedition not only realized her childhood aspiration but also set a remarkable milestone, inspiring countless young girls in India. Completing 252 orbits of the Earth in 15 days and 16 hours, Chawla etched her name in history.
Tragically, Chawla’s life was cut short when she and six fellow astronauts boarded the STS-107 Space Shuttle Columbia in 2003. The shuttle disintegrated upon re-entering Earth’s atmosphere, claiming the lives of all aboard. In addition to her professional endeavors, Chawla married Jean-Pierre Harrison in 1983.
