Kalpana: The Star
Short Questions
1. Who was the first Indian woman to go into space?
- Kalpana Chawla was the first Indian woman to travel into space.
2. When and where was Kalpana Chawla born?
- She was born on 1st July 1961 in Karnal, Haryana.
3. What was Kalpana’s childhood dream?
- Kalpana dreamt of becoming an astronaut and going beyond the skies.
4. Which school did Kalpana Chawla attend?
- She studied at Tagore School in Karnal.
5. What subject did she study in college?
- She studied Aeronautical Engineering at Punjab Engineering College.
6. When did she first join NASA?
- Kalpana joined NASA as a research scientist in 1995.
7. When was her first space mission?
- Her first mission was on 19 November 1997 aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia.
8. What role did she play in her space mission?
- She worked as a mission specialist and prime robotic arm operator.
9. What happened during her second space mission?
- The shuttle Columbia exploded 16 minutes before landing, killing all crew members.
10. How is Kalpana Chawla remembered today?
- She is honored through various memorials, including a hill on Mars and a supercomputer named after her.
Long Questions
1. What made Kalpana Chawla choose a career in space science?
- From a young age, Kalpana was fascinated by flying and dreamed of becoming an astronaut. Her determination and love for aeronautics led her to pursue space science.
2. What were Kalpana’s interests besides science?
- Kalpana was a strict vegetarian who enjoyed reading, hiking, flying, and bird-watching. She also had great respect for her teachers.
3. How did Kalpana prepare academically for her career?
- She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Punjab Engineering College and then completed her Master’s and Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering in the USA.
4. What inspired Kalpana Chawla to join NASA’s space program?
- Inspired by J.R.D. Tata, Kalpana worked hard and joined NASA as a research scientist, eventually becoming part of a space mission in 1996.
5. Describe her first space mission experience.
- Kalpana flew on the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997, performing scientific tasks and operating the robotic arm. She enjoyed every moment of her mission.
6. What was the objective of her second mission?
- Her second mission, STS-107, was dedicated to scientific experiments. The crew successfully completed 80 experiments in space.
7. What tragic incident occurred during her final mission?
- On 1 February 2003, the Columbia shuttle exploded just 16 minutes before landing, resulting in the loss of Kalpana and her entire crew.
8. How did Kalpana Chawla’s family react to her death?
- Her brother Sanjay Chawla said she was immortal and a permanent star in the sky, showing how proud and inspired her family remained.
9. What honors were given to Kalpana Chawla after her death?
- Several tributes were made including naming an asteroid, a Mars hill, Indian satellites, a university hall, and a NASA supercomputer after her.
10. Why is Kalpana Chawla considered a role model?
- Kalpana is admired for her courage, intelligence, and dedication. She broke barriers and inspired young girls to dream big and aim for the stars.
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