Know In Detail About Kalpana Chawla - Check Here! On February 1st, 2003, India lost one of its impressively talented, ever inspiring female astronaut, Kalpana Chawla in a tragic event when the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated over Texas during re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere, while it was about to conclude its 28th mission, STS-107. On the 16th Death Anniversary of the renowned Indian Born, American Astronaut Kalpana Chawla, here's a brief overview of her life, career and the tragic death. About Kalpana Chawla 1 | P a g e American astronaut Kalpana Chawla was the first female of Indian origin to go to space. Her first mission was Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997, where she acted as a mission specialist and primary robotic arm operator. Get to know more about Kalpana Chawla in the detailed table below. About Kalpana Chawla Name Kalpana Chawla D.O.B Original: March 17, 1962 Altered: 1 July 1961, Haryana Life Span March 17, 1962 – February 1, 2003 Education • Bachelor of Engineering Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Punjab Engineering College, India • Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering, University of Texas at Arlington (1984) • Masters in 1986 • PhD in aerospace engineering in 1988 from the University of Colorado Boulder First Space Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997 Mission Space missions STS-87, STS-107 Awards Congressional Space Medal of Honor, NASA Distinguished Service Medal, NASA Space Flight Medal Death February 1, 2003 Anniversary Cause of Death Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster 2 | P a g e Kalpana Chawla Space Missions First space mission • Chawla's first space mission began on November 17, 1997, where she accompanied a six-astronaut crew that flew the Space Shuttle Columbia flight STS-87. 3 | P a g e • The following words were spoken by her while traveling in the weightlessness of space, "You are just your intelligence." • She traveled over 10.4 million miles (16737177.6 km) in 252 orbits of the earth on her first mission. More than 372 hours (15 Days and 12 Hours) were logged by her on her first mission in space. Second space mission • In 2000, Kalpana Chawla was selected for her second flight as part of the STS- 107 crew. • On January 16, 2003, Chawla finally returned to space on the ill-fated STS-107 mission. • The crew had performed around 80 experiments including the study of earth and space science, advanced technology development, and astronaut health and safety. Kalpana Chawla Death • Kalpana Chawla passed away in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, on February 1, 2003, • She and six other crew members died in the Space Shuttle disaster, when the Columbia disintegrated over Texas during re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere, shortly before concluding its 28th mission, STS-107. 4 | P a g e Indian-origin Female Space Spacefarers Who What From Where Kalpana American astronaut Karnal, East Punjab, Chawla India Sunita American astronaut and United States Euclid, Ohio, U.S. Williams Navy officer Shawna Space Scientist Alberta, Canada Pandya Check out: ISRO Indian Satellite List We hope this article was helpful for you. Check out more such articles. Related Articles GSAT 7A ISRO Satellite What to Expect From Budget 2019 Important Constitutional Portfolio Facts About the Constitution of India GK Quiz 5 | P a g e .