1.3.4 - The Sky is the Limit by Kalpana Chawla
SYNOPSIS
Kalpana Chawla was an Indian-American astronaut who was a mission specialist on the space shuttle, Columbia. She first flew on the Columbia in 1997 as a mission specialist and primary robotic arm operator. She was one of seven crew members killed in the space shuttle Columbia disaster. For her the whole world was her universe. She is the source of inspiration for many young women to think beyond horizons and reach for the stars. She is an icon of space exploration to every young girl.
Life and Education:
According to Neil Armstrong, it was a giant leap for mankind. But for Kalpana Chawla, one could not cross a great chasm in two short steps; it needs one big leap -a big leap bridging the gap between impossible and the possible.
Kalpana Chawla was born on 1st July, 1961 in the town of Haryana into a middle-class family. Being the youngest of four children, she had a strong desire to travel beyond the blue yonder, to fly into the heavens and touch the stars someday. This was the dream she dreamt all through her life.
She maintained a brilliant academic record throughout school. She took part in almost everything - athletic, dance, and science modeling. First she graduated from Tagore school; she then went on to pursue her Bach el or of Science degree in Aeronautical engineering through Punjab Engineering College. She did her Master of Science degree in Aerospace engineering from Texas University. Then she followed her Doctorate of Philosophy in Aerospace engineering from Colorado University.
Her interest in flying was seen from her early ages. She got her pilot’s license for airplanes and gliders. She had a single minded determination to be an astronaut. She married Jean Pierre Harrinson, a flight instructor.
First Mission:
Chawla’s started her work at NASA Ames Research Center. Then she joined Overset Methods Inc., California as Vice President and Research Scientist. At last she was selected by NASA out of 2962 as an astronaut candidate from where she travelled twice to space. Chawla had to undergo a year’s rigorous training and evaluation. It was so arduous that it could deter an average human being. It was a training which experienced the pull of gravity, training where each movement could be a discovery of pain, the training that required immense levels of fitness. She set out as a mission specialist of STS-87 Columbia, for a 16-day mission, as part of a six astronaut crew. She became the first Indian - American to fly in the US Space shuttle. Despite blamed for making mistakes, she was rated as “terrific astronaut”.
Second Mission:
Chawla’s second chance to space came in 2000. She was assigned to the crew of STS-107 scheduled for launch in 2003. It was her good fortune and hard work which made her to succeed. She said, “Doing it again is like living a dream - a good dream -once again.” The 16-day flight began on January 16th 2003, was a dedicated science and research mission. The crew conducted 80 experiments. It was on February 1st 2003, when about to reach the scheduled landing, sixteen minutes prior, the space shuttle exploded into a ball of fire. Chawla and six crew members died an unfortunate death leaving the whole world mourning. It was considered as her eternal voyage.
Thus she became an inspiration for many young women and an icon of all young dreamers. In her last interview, her message to Indian children was, “…the journey matters as much as the goal. Listen to the sounds of nature… Take good care of our fragile nature.”
Book Back Questions
1. Whose advice encourages her to get the pilot’s license and what was that?
Kalpana Chawla’s strong inner desire and early interest in flying encouraged her to get the pilot’s license. From her young age, she had a strong wish to fly beyond the blue sky and touch the stars. Her interest in flying was seen clearly in her childhood itself. She wanted to become an astronaut and had a single-minded determination to achieve her goal. To strengthen her flying skills, she obtained a pilot’s license for airplanes and gliders. This step helped her move closer to her dream of space travel. Her determination and love for flying motivated her to gain professional training. Thus, her own passion for flying and her dream of becoming an astronaut encouraged her to get the pilot’s license.
2. Write a paragraph on Kalpana Chawla’s education and initial career.
Kalpana Chawla was born on 1st July 1961 in Haryana in a middle-class family. She maintained a brilliant academic record in school and actively took part in athletics, dance, and science modeling. She completed her graduation from Tagore School and later earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Punjab Engineering College. She pursued her Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from Texas University and completed her Doctorate of Philosophy in Aerospace Engineering from Colorado University. She started her career at NASA Ames Research Center and later worked at Overset Methods Inc., California as Vice President and Research Scientist. Her education and early career prepared her for her future as an astronaut.
3. What was Kalpana’s message to the new generation?
Kalpana Chawla’s message to the new generation was inspiring and meaningful. In her last interview, she told Indian children that the journey matters as much as the goal. She encouraged them to enjoy the process of achieving their dreams instead of focusing only on success. She also asked them to listen to the sounds of nature and take good care of the fragile environment. Her message highlighted the importance of patience, dedication, and responsibility towards nature. She wanted young people to dream big, work hard, and remain connected to nature. Through her words, she inspired children to think beyond horizons and reach for the stars while protecting the world they live in.
4. Describe Kalpana’s second space flight.
Kalpana Chawla’s second space mission was STS-107, scheduled in 2003. She was selected for the mission due to her hard work and dedication. She said that going to space again was like living a good dream once more. The 16-day flight began on January 16, 2003, and was a science and research mission. The crew conducted 80 experiments during the flight. Unfortunately, on February 1, 2003, when the space shuttle was about to land, it exploded into a ball of fire sixteen minutes before landing. Kalpana Chawla and six other crew members died in the disaster. This mission was remembered as her eternal voyage.
5. Kalpana Chawla’s grit, dreams, and its realization – discuss.
Kalpana Chawla was a woman of strong grit and determination. From her childhood, she dreamed of flying beyond the sky and touching the stars. She worked hard to turn her dream into reality through education and training. She studied aeronautical and aerospace engineering and gained flying experience by earning a pilot’s license. She faced rigorous training at NASA, which tested physical strength and mental endurance. Despite difficulties and criticism, she proved herself as a terrific astronaut. Her dreams were realized when she traveled twice into space aboard the Columbia shuttle. Her life shows how determination, courage, and hard work can transform dreams into achievements and inspire millions of young dreamers.
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