March 17, 2021, marks the 59th Birth Anniversary of Kalpana Chawla.
Born in Karnal, Haryana, on March 17, 1962, Kalpana Chawla from a young age was always fascinated by planes.
Who doesn’t remember her ever-charming smile in the orange NASA spacesuit!!
As the whole world celebrates her birth anniversary, here are some of the interesting facts about the Indian-origin astronaut.
• She attended Punjab Engineering College and attained her degree in Aeronautical Engineering.
• Kalpana Chawla was the first Indian-origin woman to go to space.
• Since young age, she was very talented. She was a Certified Flight Instructor for gliders and aeroplanes.
• Her first space flight was in Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997.
• There she worked as a mission specialist and robotic arm operator.
• Kalpana Chawla’s second space mission in 2001 turned disastrous. The Space Shuttle Columbia’s internal wing got destroyed which resulted into a disaster.
• In her memory, NASA has named Asteroid 51826 as ‘Kalpana Chawla’.
• As a tribute to the astronaut, the Karnataka govt. in 2004 instituted ‘Kalpana Chawla Award’ to reward young woman scientist.
Kalpana Chawla is not just the first Indian woman to space but also a role model to millions of young girls of India.
Remembering Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian origin woman to fly in space, on her birth anniversary. A symbol of strength & determination, she has & will continue to inspire women all over the world. #MyGovMorningMusings pic.twitter.com/5W8M3WcKf5
— MyGovIndia (@mygovindia) March 17, 2021
Tribute to the first woman of Indian-origin to fly to space. #KalpanaChawla has inspired millions of girls to dream big and fly high. She will be remembered forever. Salutations to Kalpana Chawla on her Birth Anniversary. pic.twitter.com/KILThTMazQ
— Ministry of Culture (@MinOfCultureGoI) March 17, 2021
Remembering India’s ‘Space Star’ #KalpanaChawla, the first woman astronaut of Indian origin to go to space, on her Birth Anniversary. Her journey continues to inspire women the world over to believe in their dreams. pic.twitter.com/qSJsFQfzR6
— NSUI Assam (@NSUIAssam) March 17, 2021
Remembering the First Female Astronaut of Indian Origin Kalpana Chawla on her Birth Anniversary pic.twitter.com/j71lReQGqN
— CMO Punjab (@CMOPb) March 17, 2021
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