Kalpana Chawla
Astronaut · Pisces
About
Kalpana Chawla was an Indian-born American astronaut and aerospace engineer, and the first woman of Indian origin to fly in space. She first flew aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997 as a mission specialist, and died in 2003 when Columbia disintegrated during re-entry on mission STS-107, killing all seven crew members.
Personal details
- Born
- March 17, 1962
- Birthplace
- Karnal
- Nationality
- India
- Education
- Punjab Engineering College, University of Colorado Boulder, Tagore Baal Niketan Sr. Sec. School, Karnal, University of Texas at Arlington
Known for
- NASA astronaut on Space Shuttle Columbia mission STS-87 (1997)
- Mission STS-107 (2003)
Awards
- Congressional Space Medal of Honor (posthumous)
- NASA Space Flight Medal
- NASA Distinguished Service Medal
Trivia & fun facts
- She was the first woman of Indian origin to travel to space.
- A NASA supercomputer and several institutions in India have been named in her honour.