500+ Words Essay on Kalpana Chawla
Kalpana Chawla was an Indian-American astronaut and aerospace engineer, and she was the first woman of Indian origin to fly to space. She was born on March 17, 1962, in Karnal, Haryana, India. She was a remarkable aerospace engineer and astronaut whose life and career continue to inspire millions around the world
Early Life and Education
Kalpana Chawla was born into a Punjabi Hindu family. Her father, Banarasi Lal Chawla, and her mother, Sanjyothi Chawla, valued education highly. She was known as Montu in her youth. She completed her schooling at Tagore Baal Niketan Senior Secondary School in Karnal. After graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Punjab Engineering College in Chandigarh, Chawla moved to the United States in 1982. Kalpana Chawla married Jean-Pierre Harrison in 1983, at the age of 21. In 1984, she earned a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington, followed by a Doctorate in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1988.
Journey to NASA
In 1988, Kalpana Chawla joined NASA’s Ames Research Center, where she initially conducted computational fluid dynamics research on vertical and/or short take-off and landing (V/STOL) concepts. Much of Chawla’s research is included in technical journals and conference papers. In 1993, she joined Overset Methods, Inc. as vice president and research scientist, specializing in the simulation of moving multiple body problems. She joined the astronaut corps in March 1995 and was selected for her first flight in 1997.
List of 500+ Essay Writing Topics and Ideas
Kalpana Chawla’s first spaceflight occurred on November 19, 1997, aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia during Mission STS-87. On her first mission, she travelled 10.4 million miles in 252 orbits of the Earth, logging more than 376 hours (15 days and 16 hours) in space. As a mission specialist, she conducted experiments and research in microgravity, demonstrating her expertise and commitment to advancing space science. After completing the STS-87 post-flight activities, Chawla was assigned to technical positions in the astronaut office to work on the space station.
The Columbia Tragedy
Kalpana Chawla’s second mission, STS-107, launched on January 16, 2003, aboard Space Shuttle Columbia, was both historic and tragic. The crew performed nearly 80 experiments studying Earth and space science, advanced technology development, and astronaut health and safety. On February 1, 2003, during re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere, the shuttle disintegrated, leading to the death of all seven crew members, including Chawla. The accident was a devastating blow to the space community and the world, highlighting the inherent risks of space exploration.
Conclusion
Kalpana Chawla’s journey from Karnal to the vast expanse of space is a testament to her unwavering spirit and pioneering achievements. Her contributions to space exploration and her role as a trailblazer for women in STEM fields have left an indelible mark on history. She inspired countless individuals, particularly young women, to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Her life exemplifies the ideals of perseverance, dedication, and the pursuit of one’s dreams against all odds.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Who was Kalpana Chawla?
Kalpana Chawla (17 March 1962 – 1 February 2003) was an Indian-born American astronaut and aerospace engineer. She made history as the first woman of Indian origin to fly to space. Her second flight was in 2003 on STS-107, which tragically became the final flight of Columbia. She was one of the seven crew members who lost their lives when the spacecraft disintegrated during re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere on 1 February 2003.
Q2. Who were the Columbia crew members?
The STS-107 crew aboard the space shuttle Columbia included Rick D. Husband (Commander), William C. “Willie” McCool (Pilot), Michael P. Anderson (Mission Specialist), Kalpana Chawla (Mission Specialist), Laurel B. Clark (Mission Specialist), David M. Brown (Mission Specialist), and Ilan Ramon (Payload Specialist). They lost their lives when Columbia broke apart during reentry on February 1, 2003.
Q3. Who was Kalpana Chawla’s sister?
Kalpana Chawla had two elder sisters named Deepa and Sunita.