**Kalpana Chawla Birthday:** Kalpana Chawla, born on March 17, 1962, in Karnal, India, was a pioneering astronaut and the first Indian-American woman to travel to space. She made history as a mission specialist on the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997 and later lost her life in the tragic Columbia disaster on February 1, 2003.
Chawla completed her early education in Karnal before earning a degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh. In 1982, she moved to the United States, where she pursued a Master’s and PhD in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington and the University of Colorado at Boulder, respectively.
Her career at NASA began in 1995 when she was selected for the Astronaut Corps. In 1997, she made history on her first space mission, STS-87, becoming the first Indian-born woman in space. During this mission, she operated the robotic arm and conducted various experiments.
In 2000, Chawla was selected for her second spaceflight, STS-107, a research-intensive mission that faced multiple delays. Finally launched on January 16, 2003, the mission focused on microgravity experiments. However, tragedy struck on February 1, when the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated upon re-entry, claiming the lives of all seven crew members, including Chawla.
Her legacy continues to inspire generations in India and across the world. Schools, scholarships, and even a satellite have been named in her honor, ensuring that her passion for space and scientific advancement lives on. On her birth anniversary, the world salutes Kalpana Chawla, a true trailblazer who dared to reach for the stars.