Who was Kalpana Chawla?
Kalpana Chawla was a brave woman from India who became an astronaut. An astronaut is someone who travels into space and studies stars, planets, and space.
Early life
- She was born in 1962 in a place called Karnal, India.
- She loved airplanes and airplanes clubs and enjoyed solving puzzles and building things as a kid.
Dream of space
Kalpana studied science and engineering so she could learn how airplanes and rockets work. She dreamed of going to space and exploring the unknown just like explorers in stories.
Becoming an astronaut
- She moved to the United States to study and work hard in science and engineering.
- She joined NASA, the U.S. space agency, and trained to become an astronaut.
Space missions
- Kalpana flew on the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997 and again in 2003.
- During these missions, she helped scientists learn more about space and how living in space affects the human body.
Why she is important
Kalpana Chawla showed that girls and kids from all backgrounds can reach for the stars. She inspired many to study science and dream big, no matter where they come from.
Fun fact
Her favorite quote is, “The journey is what brings us happiness, not the destination.”