Chawla earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Punjab Engineering College in Chandigarh, India, in 1982. She then moved to the United States to further her studies. She obtained a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1984 and a Doctorate in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder in 1988.

Kalpana Chawla joined NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) in 1988. She became a naturalized U.S. citizen and was selected as an astronaut candidate in 1994. Chawla’s first space mission was aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997 as a mission specialist and primary robotic arm operator. She became the first woman of Indian origin in space.

Chawla’s second space mission was aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia in 2003 as a mission specialist and flight engineer. Tragically, the mission ended in disaster when the Columbia disintegrated upon re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere on February 1, 2003. Kalpana Chawla, along with the other six crew members, lost her life in the accident.

Kalpana Chawla is remembered as a pioneering astronaut who broke barriers for women and people of Indian origin in the field of space exploration. She inspired countless individuals with her achievements and determination. In her honor, NASA named a supercomputer after her, and several scholarships, awards, and institutions have been established in her memory.

Kalpana Chawla’s life and legacy continue to serve as an inspiration to aspiring scientists, engineers, and astronauts around the world, highlighting the power of dedication, passion, and perseverance in achieving one’s dreams.