# Kalpana Chawla

> American astronaut

**Wikidata**: [Q237879](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q237879)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kalpana_Chawla)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/kalpana-chawla

## Summary

Kalpana Chawla was born on March 17, 1962, in Karnal[1][2] and died on February 1, 2003, in Texas[1][2]. She held citizenship in both India and the United States and practiced Hinduism. Her education included Tagore Baal Niketan Sr. Sec. School, Karnal, Punjab Engineering College, the University of Texas at Arlington, and the University of Colorado Boulder[2]. She was ultimately buried at Zion National Park.Professionally, she worked as a military flight engineer, astronaut, and amateur radio operator[2]. Her specialized field was computational fluid dynamics. She was employed by the Ames Research Center starting in 1988, Overset Methods, Inc. starting in 1993, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration starting in 1995[2].Throughout her career, she received multiple awards, including the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, the NASA Distinguished Service Medal, the NASA Space Flight Medal, and the Order of Merit (Ukraine), 3rd class[3][4].

## Summary
Kalpana Chawla was an American astronaut of Indian origin who became the first woman of Indian descent to travel to space. She was a key member of NASA's astronaut corps and flew on the Space Shuttle Columbia during its STS-87 mission in 1997. Tragically, she perished in the 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, becoming one of the most prominent figures in space exploration history.

## Biography
- Born: March 17, 1962, in Karnal, India
- Nationality: American, Indian
- Education:
  - Bachelor of Science in aeronautical engineering from Punjab Engineering College (1982)
  - Master of Science in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington (1984)
  - Doctor of Philosophy in aerospace engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder (1988)
- Known for: First Indian-American woman in space, pioneering contributions to aerospace engineering
- Employer(s): National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Ames Research Center
- Field(s): Aerospace engineering, astronautics

## Contributions
- **Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-87)**: Served as a mission specialist on the 1997 flight, conducting microgravity research and demonstrating the Shuttle's capabilities.
- **Kalpana-1 Satellite**: Named in her honor, this Indian communications satellite launched in 2002 by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
- **Cygnus NG-14 Mission**: The cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station was named S.S. Kalpana Chawla in her memory.
- **Awards**: Recipient of the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, NASA Space Flight Medal, and NASA Distinguished Service Medal.
- **Legacy**: Inspired generations of Indian-American scientists and engineers, particularly women in STEM fields.

## FAQs
### What was Kalpana Chawla's primary occupation?
Kalpana Chawla was an American astronaut who worked for NASA, specializing in aerospace engineering and astronautics. She flew on the Space Shuttle Columbia and conducted critical microgravity research.

### Where did Kalpana Chawla work?
She worked at NASA's Ames Research Center and was part of NASA Astronaut Group 15. Her educational institutions included Punjab Engineering College, the University of Texas at Arlington, and the University of Colorado Boulder.

### What was Kalpana Chawla's most notable achievement?
Kalpana Chawla became the first woman of Indian descent to travel to space, flying on the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997. She also inspired countless individuals through her career and legacy.

### What awards did Kalpana Chawla receive?
She was honored with the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, NASA Space Flight Medal, and NASA Distinguished Service Medal for her contributions to space exploration.

### How did Kalpana Chawla's legacy continue after her death?
Her name was given to the Kalpana-1 satellite and the Cygnus NG-14 mission, and she remains a symbol of diversity and excellence in space exploration.

## Why They Matter
Kalpana Chawla's work revolutionized space exploration by breaking barriers as the first Indian-American woman in space. Her contributions to aerospace engineering and microgravity research advanced scientific knowledge, while her tragic death in the Columbia disaster highlighted the risks of spaceflight. Her legacy continues to inspire underrepresented groups in STEM, particularly women and people of color, by demonstrating that space is for everyone. The naming of the Kalpana-1 satellite and the Cygnus NG-14 mission underscores her enduring impact on both Indian and American space programs.

## Notable For
- First woman of Indian descent to travel to space
- Member of NASA Astronaut Group 15
- Recipient of the Congressional Space Medal of Honor
- Named after Kalpana Chawla: Kalpana-1 satellite and S.S. Kalpana Chawla (Cygnus NG-14)
- Pioneering contributions to aerospace engineering and microgravity research

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Kalpana Chawla was born on March 17, 1962, in Karnal, India. She moved to the United States in 1982 to pursue higher education, earning a Bachelor of Science in aeronautical engineering from Punjab Engineering College. She later obtained a Master of Science in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington (1984) and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Colorado Boulder (1988).

### Career at NASA
Kalpana Chawla joined NASA in 1988 and was selected as an astronaut in 1994, becoming part of NASA Astronaut Group 15. She worked at NASA's Ames Research Center and was involved in various research projects, including computational fluid dynamics and spaceflight engineering.

### Spaceflight and Research
In 1997, Chawla flew on the Space Shuttle Columbia as a mission specialist during the STS-87 mission. She conducted microgravity research and demonstrated the Shuttle's capabilities. Her work contributed to advancements in aerospace engineering and space exploration.

### Legacy and Honors
Kalpana Chawla was posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor, NASA Space Flight Medal, and NASA Distinguished Service Medal. Her name was given to the Kalpana-1 satellite, launched by ISRO in 2002, and the Cygnus NG-14 mission, which delivered cargo to the International Space Station.

### Personal Life and Influence
Chawla was married to Jean-Pierre Harrison, and the couple had a daughter, Karishma. Her life and career inspired countless individuals, particularly women and people of color in STEM fields. She remains a symbol of diversity and excellence in space exploration.

## References

1. [Source](https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Biographies/ASTRON%7E1.HTM)
2. Find a Grave
3. [Source](https://www.nasa.gov/history/congressional-space-medal-of-honor/)
4. [Source](https://searchpub.nssc.nasa.gov/servlet/sm.web.Fetch/Agency_Awards_Historical_Recipient_List.pdf?rhid=1000&did=2120817&type=released)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. Quora