**Kalpana Chawla Biography**

Kalpana Chawla was a renowned astronaut, aerospace engineer, and the first woman of Indian origin to travel to space. Her life story is one of determination, courage, and inspiration, leaving a lasting legacy in the fields of science and space exploration.Kalpana Chawla was born on March 17, 1962, in Karnal, a small town in Haryana. From childhood, she had a keen interest in flight and space. As a little girl, she would watch airplanes fly over her city and dream of flying. Her fascination with aviation inspired her to study engineering, even though she lived at a time when very few women in India pursued careers in technical fields.She completed her schooling in Karnal and later enrolled at Punjab Engineering College in Chandigarh, where she earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Aeronautical Engineering in 1982. Intent on expanding her knowledge and opportunities, Kalpana moved to the United States for higher education. She earned a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1984, followed by another Master's degree and a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1986 and 1988.

After completing her studies, Kalpana Chawla began working in the field of aerospace engineering. She became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1991, allowing her to apply to the Astronaut Corps. In 1994, she was selected by NASA as an astronaut candidate. This was a significant achievement, as the selection process is very competitive and rigorous. After completing two years of intensive training and evaluation, she qualified for a flight assignment as a Mission Specialist.Kalpana Chawla made her first spaceflight on Space Shuttle STS-87, which launched on November 19, 1997. During this mission, she served as a mission specialist and primary robotic arm operator. The shuttle orbited the Earth 252 times over approximately two weeks. The mission focused on scientific experiments, including studies of microgravity and the behavior of materials in space. Although the mission encountered some technical difficulties, it was considered a success, and Kalpana spent over 370 hours in space.Her second and final space mission was on Space Shuttle STS-107, which launched on January 16, 2003. This mission was entirely dedicated to scientific research. The crew conducted over 80 experiments in various fields, including biology, physics, and Earth science. Kalpana once again served as a mission specialist and participated in a variety of research activities.

Tragically, on February 1, 2003, just 16 minutes before landing, the Space Shuttle Columbia broke up over Texas while re-entering Earth's atmosphere. All seven crew members on board were killed in the accident. It was later determined that the accident was caused by damage to the shuttle's thermal protection system during launch. The loss of Columbia was a profound tragedy for NASA and the global space community.Kalpana Chawla's death was mourned worldwide, especially in India and the United States. She was posthumously awarded numerous honors, including the Congressional Space Medal of Honor. Several schools, scholarships, and institutions have been named in her memory. In India, she is celebrated as a national hero and a symbol of women's empowerment and scientific achievement.Kalpana often spoke about the importance of pursuing one's dreams. She once said that there is a path from dreams to success, and all it takes is vision, the courage to pursue it, and the passion to achieve it. These words proved true in her life. From a small town in India to the vastness of space, she demonstrated that determination and hard work can overcome barriers of geography, gender, and circumstances.Today, Kalpana Chawla remains an inspiration to millions of students, especially young women aspiring to careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Her story gives people the courage to aim high and believe that even the most distant dreams are within reach. Through her achievements and her enduring legacy, Kalpana Chawla continues to shine as a guiding star in the history of space exploration.