Remembering Kalpana Chawla`s Legacy

Pioneering Astronaut:

Kalpana Chawla was the first Indian woman to venture into space, a historic achievement.

Academic Foundation:

She earned a PhD in aerospace engineering, which provided the strong foundation for her NASA career.

First Space Mission (STS-87):

In 1997, she flew aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, serving as a mission specialist and robotic arm operator.

Views from Orbit:

She shared her awe of Earth from space, describing it as a "storybook" experience and expressing the magnificence of the Himalayas.

Second Mission (STS-107):

In 2003, she returned to space on Columbia for a mission focused on scientific research.

Tragic Re-entry:

On February 1, 2003, Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated during re-entry into Earth`s atmosphere, killing all the astronauts on board.

Loss of Life:

Kalpana Chawla and the six other crew members perished in the accident, just 16 minutes before the scheduled landing.