Her story is an inspiration to millions, especially young girls who aspire to break barriers and reach the stars – quite literally.Kalpana Chawla was born on **March 17, 1962** in **Karnal**, a small town in the Indian state of Haryana. From a young age, she was fascinated by the skies and airplanes. She would often visit flying clubs and watch planes fly, dreaming that one day she would fly beyond the Earth's atmosphere.She completed her schooling in Karnal and graduated in Aeronautical Engineering from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh in 1982. This in itself was a remarkable achievement, as aeronautical engineering was and still is a male-dominated field. However, Kalpana did not stop there. She moved to the United States to further her studies, where she earned a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington inAfter completing her education, Kalpana joined NASA's Ames Research Center as a researcher, where she worked on computational fluid dynamics, particularly vertical and short takeoff and landing concepts. Her work was widely recognised and in **1994** she was selected for astronaut training at NASA - a highly competitive process in which only a few elite candidates succeed.In **1997**, Kalpana Chawla made history by flying on the **Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-87)** as a mission specialist and primary robotic arm operator. This mission made her the **first Indian woman to fly in space**. During the 15-day mission, she traveled over 6.5 million miles and orbited the Earth 252 times. Her performance was praised by her colleagues and she became a national hero in India and a respected astronaut globally.Kalpana's second mission to space was on **STS-107**, again on the **Space Shuttle Columbia**, which was launched on **January 16, 2003**. The mission included over 80 experiments in life sciences, physical sciences, and Earth sciences.However, on **February 1, 2003**, tragedy struck as the shuttle re-entered Earth's atmosphere. The flaw went undetected, and upon re-entry, superheated atmospheric gases penetrated the wing, causing the spacecraft to disintegrate. All seven astronauts aboard, including Kalpana, died.Her death was mourned around the world, especially in India, where she had become a national icon. However, her legacy lives on today - not only through the many awards and honours given in her name, but also in the dreams of young people inspired by her story.Kalpana Chawla was awarded several honours posthumously. Several institutions, scholarships, and even satellites have been named in her honor. In India, schools and streets bear her name, and her life story has been included in textbooks as a source of inspiration.In 2020, a spacecraft carrying supplies to the International Space Station was named **S.S. Kalpana Chawla**, symbolizing her lasting impact on space exploration and the legacy she left behind.Kalpana Chawla’s story is not just about space travel. It is a testament to what one can achieve with vision, determination, and hard work. You just have to have the vision to find it, the courage to find it, and the tenacity to follow it.”* These words inspire countless individuals to overcome obstacles and pursue their passions, no matter how far away they may seem.Her life encourages girls to believe in their potential in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). At a time when women in STEM fields still face significant barriers, Kalpana's achievements remind us of the importance of supporting and nurturing talent regardless of gender.Kalpana Chawla's journey from Karnal to the stars is a journey of incredible courage, intelligence and resilience.
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