Kalpana Chawla was an astronaut and aerospace engineer who became the first woman of Indian origin to travel to space. Selected by NASA, she flew aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia and inspired generations through her achievements in science and exploration. Chawla logged more than 30 days in space across two missions. She lost her life in the 2003 Space Shuttle Columbia disaster when the shuttle disintegrated during re-entry. Her legacy endures as a symbol of perseverance, scientific ambition, and the pursuit of discovery.
