<p><br>Shubhanshu Shukla, Group Captain in the Indian Air Force, became the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS), marking a historic milestone for India’s space ambitions. His mission evokes memories of Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian-born woman in space, who tragically lost her life during the Columbia disaster in 2003. As India looks forward, the Colombia disaster remains as one of the most defining moment in space missions, an event that changed how space agencies assess risk and manage safety.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>The Tragedy of Columbia</strong></h2><p>&nbsp;</p><p>On 1 February 2003, NASA’s space shuttle Columbia broke apart during re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere, killing all seven crew members on board. The shuttle was launched on 16 January for mission STS-107, focused on scientific research. Just 82 seconds after liftoff, a piece of foam insulation detached from the shuttle's external fuel tank and struck the left wing at around 500 mph. Though this issue had been seen in earlier missions, it was not fully addressed, and taken not lightly.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>As Columbia re-entered the atmosphere, the damaged wing allowed superheated gases to penetrate the shuttle’s internal structure. This led to structural failure and disintegration at speeds above Mach 18 over Texas. Debris spread across multiple US states, as the incident was broadcasted live all across the world. Among the victims was Kalpana Chawla, remembered as a symbol of scientific ambition in India. She and her fellow astronauts had spent 16 days conducting more than 80 experiments in microgravity, ranging from fluid physics to life sciences.</p><h2><strong>Investigating the Cause</strong></h2><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Following the incident, the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) was formed, led by Admiral Harold W. Gehman Jr. The board concluded that the foam strike caused the wing breach, but went further to criticise NASA’s organisational culture. It also cited over-reliance on past success, underestimation of known risks, and a lack of open communication as major contributors to the disaster. A 2008 crew survival report showed that while the astronauts may have survived the initial breakup, they lost consciousness within seconds as cabin pressure failed.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><h2><strong>A Shift in Spaceflight Strategy</strong></h2><p>The Columbia tragedy led to significant reform. NASA redesigned the external tank and added new inspection methods for damage in orbit. Shuttle flights resumed in 2005 but remained cautious. The incident also prompted broader change: NASA retired the Space Shuttle programme in 2011 and shifted focus to commercial partnerships with firms like SpaceX. Today, astronauts travel to the ISS aboard commercial spacecraft or Russian Soyuz capsules. The Columbia mission marked a turning point, one that redefined how safety, risk, and innovation are balanced in space exploration.<br>&nbsp;</p>

On 1 February 2003, NASA’s space shuttle Columbia broke apart during re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere, killing all seven crew members on board. 

Shubhanshu Shukla, Group Captain in the Indian Air Force, became the first Indian to reach the International Space Station (ISS), marking a historic milestone for India’s space ambitions. His mission evokes memories of Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian-born woman in space, who tragically lost her life during the Columbia disaster in 2003. As India looks forward, the Colombia disaster remains as one of the most defining moment in space missions, an event that changed how space agencies assess risk and manage safety. The Tragedy of Columbia On 1 February 2003, NASA’s space shuttle Columbia broke apart during re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere, killing all seven crew members on board. The shuttle was launched on 16 January for mission STS-107, focused on scientific research. Just 82 seconds after liftoff, a piece of foam insulation detached from the shuttle's external fuel tank and struck the left wing at around 500 mph. Though this issue had been seen in earlier missions, it was not fully addressed, and taken not lightly. As Columbia re-entered the atmosphere, the damaged wing allowed superheated gases to penetrate the shuttle’s internal structure. This led to structural failure and disintegration at speeds above Mach 18 over Texas. Debris spread across multiple US states, as the incident was broadcasted live all across the world. Among the victims was Kalpana Chawla, remembered as a symbol of scientific ambition in India. She and her fellow astronauts had spent 16 days conducting more than 80 experiments in microgravity, ranging from fluid physics to life sciences. Investigating the Cause Following the incident, the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) was formed, led by Admiral Harold W. Gehman Jr. The board concluded that the foam strike caused the wing breach, but went further to criticise NASA’s organisational culture. It also cited over-reliance on past success, underestimation of known risks, and a lack of open communication as major contributors to the disaster. A 2008 crew survival report showed that while the astronauts may have survived the initial breakup, they lost consciousness within seconds as cabin pressure failed. A Shift in Spaceflight Strategy The Columbia tragedy led to significant reform. NASA redesigned the external tank and added new inspection methods for damage in orbit. Shuttle flights resumed in 2005 but remained cautious. The incident also prompted broader change: NASA retired the Space Shuttle programme in 2011 and shifted focus to commercial partnerships with firms like SpaceX. Today, astronauts travel to the ISS aboard commercial spacecraft or Russian Soyuz capsules. The Columbia mission marked a turning point, one that redefined how safety, risk, and innovation are balanced in space exploration.

<p>On 1 February 2003, NASA’s space shuttle Columbia broke apart during re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere, killing all seven crew members on board.&nbsp;</p>

What led to NASA’s Columbia disaster and how it changed space exploration?

Despite meticulous engineering and rigorous protocols, several missions have ended in tragedy. This list examines seven of the most serious accidents and disasters in the history of space exploration.

<p>Despite meticulous engineering and rigorous protocols, several missions have ended in tragedy. This list examines seven of the most serious accidents and disasters in the history of space exploration.</p>

Apollo, Columbia, Challenger: The 7 deadliest spaceflight accidents that changed history

<p>Rakesh Sharma was the first Indian to enter Space, but decades later, now, another name has emerged and will be penned down in the history books. Shubhanshu Shukla, Wing Commander of the Indian Air Force, and a serving pilot, has become the second Indian to travel to space in a Falcon 9 rocket.</p><p>Shubhanshu Shukla flew as the mission pilot on Axiom Space's fourth private mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Shukla will also carry out research designed by ISRO and Indian institutions, including studies on muscle strength, cognitive response, and gut health in microgravity.</p><p>The IAF Group Captain is joined on the station by three other international astronauts: Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, Peggy Whitson from the United States, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary.</p><h2>A look at Indian citizens, Indian-origin astronauts who flew to space -</h2><h3>Rakesh Sharma</h3><p>Rakesh Sharma was the first and only Indian citizen to travel to space in 1984. Sharma, a former Indian Air Force pilot, was selected under a joint programme between ISRO and the Soviet Intercosmos initiative.</p><p>On April 3, 1984, he flew abroad Soyuz T-11 and spent over a week abroad the Salyut 7 space station. Then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi asked her how India looked from space. To this, Sharma replied, "Saare Jahan Se Achha."</p><h3>Kalpana Chawla</h3><p>Kalpana Chawla, who was born in Karnal, Punjab, moved to the United States after completing her aeronautical engineering degree. Since she moved, Kalpana became a naturalised US citizen and joined NASA in 1994.</p><p>Later, in 1997, she flew aboard Columbia STS-87 and became the first Indian-born woman to enter into space.</p><p>However, her second flight in 2003 suffered tragedy when Columbia disintegrated during re-entry to Earth and killed all crew members.</p><h3>Sunita Williams</h3><p>Indian-American astronaut, Sunita Williams, also known for her long-duration missions on the International Space Station, joined NASA.</p><p>Williams was also a former US Navy pilot and she had logged over 300 days in space. Another surprising achievement of hers, includes seven spacewalks she did, while also setting a record for the highest time spent on spacewalks by a woman.</p><h3>Sirish Bandla</h3><p>Sirish Bandla was born in Andhra Pradesh and raised in the US. She studied aeronautical engineering and worked in the private space sector. Bandla flew aboard Virgin Galactic's Unity 22 suborbital mission, and her role included conducting scientific research during the flight.</p><p>She certainly created a milestone in commercial spaceflight.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>

Rakesh Sharma was the first and only Indian citizen to travel to space in 1984. Sharma, a former Indian Air Force pilot, was selected under a joint programme between ISRO and the Soviet Intercosmos initiative.

Rakesh Sharma was the first Indian to enter Space, but decades later, now, another name has emerged and will be penned down in the history books. Shubhanshu Shukla, Wing Commander of the Indian Air Force, and a serving pilot, has become the second Indian to travel to space in a Falcon 9 rocket. Shubhanshu Shukla flew as the mission pilot on Axiom Space's fourth private mission to the International Space Station (ISS). Shukla will also carry out research designed by ISRO and Indian institutions, including studies on muscle strength, cognitive response, and gut health in microgravity. The IAF Group Captain is joined on the station by three other international astronauts: Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski from Poland, Peggy Whitson from the United States, and Tibor Kapu from Hungary. A look at Indian citizens, Indian-origin astronauts who flew to space - Rakesh Sharma Rakesh Sharma was the first and only Indian citizen to travel to space in 1984. Sharma, a former Indian Air Force pilot, was selected under a joint programme between ISRO and the Soviet Intercosmos initiative. On April 3, 1984, he flew abroad Soyuz T-11 and spent over a week abroad the Salyut 7 space station. Then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi asked her how India looked from space. To this, Sharma replied, "Saare Jahan Se Achha." Kalpana Chawla Kalpana Chawla, who was born in Karnal, Punjab, moved to the United States after completing her aeronautical engineering degree. Since she moved, Kalpana became a naturalised US citizen and joined NASA in 1994. Later, in 1997, she flew aboard Columbia STS-87 and became the first Indian-born woman to enter into space. However, her second flight in 2003 suffered tragedy when Columbia disintegrated during re-entry to Earth and killed all crew members. Sunita Williams Indian-American astronaut, Sunita Williams, also known for her long-duration missions on the International Space Station, joined NASA. Williams was also a former US Navy pilot and she had logged over 300 days in space. Another surprising achievement of hers, includes seven spacewalks she did, while also setting a record for the highest time spent on spacewalks by a woman. Sirish Bandla Sirish Bandla was born in Andhra Pradesh and raised in the US. She studied aeronautical engineering and worked in the private space sector. Bandla flew aboard Virgin Galactic's Unity 22 suborbital mission, and her role included conducting scientific research during the flight. She certainly created a milestone in commercial spaceflight.

<p>Rakesh Sharma was the first and only Indian citizen to travel to space in 1984. Sharma, a former Indian Air Force pilot, was selected under a joint programme between ISRO and the Soviet Intercosmos initiative.</p>

From Rakesh Sharma to today's space pioneers: Meet Indians and Indian-origin icons who reached beyond Earth

<p>Years after Kalpana Chawla and Sunita Williams,&nbsp;a third woman of Indian origin,&nbsp;Sirisha Bandla, is all set to fly into space aboard ‘VSS Unity’ of Virgin Galactic, which is scheduled to fly off on July 11 from New Mexico.</p>

<p>The 34-year-old aeronautical engineer will be flying off into space with five other members in her team. Her role will be that of a researcher experience. The founder of Virgin Galactic Richard Branson will also be a part of the team.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Our first fully crewed rocket powered test flight is planned to take place on July 11th with two pilots and four mission specialists including <a href="https://twitter.com/richardbranson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RichardBranson</a> onboard.<br />
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If we were flying your crew, who’d be floating in zero gravity next to you? Tag your astronauts! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Unity22?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Unity22</a> <a href="https://t.co/3FTCls7A4W">pic.twitter.com/3FTCls7A4W</a></p>
— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) <a href="https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/1410974708087103490?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 2, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>"I am so incredibly honored to be a part of the amazing crew of #Unity22, and to be a part of a company whose mission is to make space available to all," Sirisha Bandla said on Twitter.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Join us July 11th for our first fully crewed rocket powered test flight, and the beginning of a new space age.<br />
The countdown begins. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Unity22?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Unity22</a><br />
<a href="https://t.co/5UalYT7Hjb">https://t.co/5UalYT7Hjb</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/richardbranson?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RichardBranson</a> <a href="https://t.co/ZL9xbCeWQX">pic.twitter.com/ZL9xbCeWQX</a></p>
— Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) <a href="https://twitter.com/virgingalactic/status/1410727434530422784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 1, 2021</a></blockquote>
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<p>Born in Andhra Pradesh, Bandla grew up in Houston, Texas and started working with Virgin Galactic&nbsp;in 2015. Before that, she used to work in space policy at the Commercial Spaceflight Federation (CSF) and as an aerospace engineer in Texas.</p>

<p>She has graduated in aeronautical engineering from Purdue University and also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Georgetown University.</p>

<p>Bandla is the second Indian-born woman in space and fourth in general to travel to space.</p>


Years after Kalpana Chawla and Sunita Williams, a third woman of Indian origin, Sirisha Bandla, is all set to fly into space aboard ‘VSS Unity’ of Virgin Galactic, which is scheduled to fly off on July 11 from New Mexico.

Years after Kalpana Chawla and Sunita Williams, a third woman of Indian origin, Sirisha Bandla, is all set to fly into space aboard ‘VSS Unity’ of Virgin Galactic, which is scheduled to fly off on July 11 from New Mexico. The 34-year-old aeronautical engineer will be flying off into space with five other members in her team. Her role will be that of a researcher experience. The founder of Virgin Galactic Richard Branson will also be a part of the team. Our first fully crewed rocket powered test flight is planned to take place on July 11th with two pilots and four mission specialists including @RichardBranson onboard. If we were flying your crew, who’d be floating in zero gravity next to you? Tag your astronauts! #Unity22 pic.twitter.com/3FTCls7A4W — Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) July 2, 2021 × "I am so incredibly honored to be a part of the amazing crew of #Unity22, and to be a part of a company whose mission is to make space available to all," Sirisha Bandla said on Twitter. Join us July 11th for our first fully crewed rocket powered test flight, and the beginning of a new space age. The countdown begins. #Unity22 https://t.co/5UalYT7Hjb. @RichardBranson pic.twitter.com/ZL9xbCeWQX — Virgin Galactic (@virgingalactic) July 1, 2021 × Born in Andhra Pradesh, Bandla grew up in Houston, Texas and started working with Virgin Galactic in 2015. Before that, she used to work in space policy at the Commercial Spaceflight Federation (CSF) and as an aerospace engineer in Texas. She has graduated in aeronautical engineering from Purdue University and also holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Georgetown University. Bandla is the second Indian-born woman in space and fourth in general to travel to space.

Third Indian-origin woman, Sirisha Bandla, set to fly to space

<p>A commercial cargo spacecraft bound for the International Space Station (ISS) -- carrying the name of deceased NASA astronaut Kalpana Chawla -- arrived at the International Space Station for ‘rendezvous and capture’ on October 5.</p>

<p>Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian-born woman to enter space, has had the spacecraft named after her for her key contributions to human spaceflight.</p>

<p>The SS Kalpana Chawla, a Northrop Grumman Cygnus, was launched from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia at 09:38 pm EDT.</p>

<p>On the NG-14 mission, the SS Kalpana Chawla will deliver approximately 3,630 kilograms of cargo to the station.</p>

<p>Research flying aboard the Cygnus includes the test of a biologic drug that could be used for the treatment of leukemia, a plant growth study that will cultivate radishes as a model for future crops in space, a compact toilet for astronauts to use on deep-space exploration missions and a 360-degree virtual reality camera that will be used to film during a spacewalk for an immersive cinematic production.</p>

<p>Northrop Grumman, an American global aerospace and defence technology company said that this mission is named after Chawla in memory of the mission specialist who died with her six crewmates aboard the space shuttle Columbia in 2003 Northrop Grumman stated that it is proud to celebrate the life of Kalpana Chawla and her dream of flying through the air and in space.</p>

<p>"It is the company's tradition to name each Cygnus after an individual who has played a pivotal role in human spaceflight," said Northrop Grumman.</p>

<p>Born in Haryana, India, Chawla moved to the United States to earn her master's and doctorate degrees in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas in 1984 and the University of Colorado in 1988, respectively.</p>

<p>She then began her career at NASA, conducting research in fluid dynamics at the Ames Research Center in California.</p>

<p>After becoming a naturalised US citizen, Chawla applied for and became a NASA astronaut as a member of "The Flying Escargot," NASA's 15th class of trainees. In 1997, she launched on STS-87, a 15-day shuttle mission that was dedicated to the science flying as part of the fourth United States Microgravity Payload (USMP-4).</p>

<p>Chawla's second spaceflight, STS-107, came to a tragic end on February 1, 2003, following 16 days of conducting science onboard the space shuttle Columbia. A small piece of foam that struck the orbiter's left wing during launch created a hole that went undetected during the mission.</p>

<p>Upon Columbia's return to Earth, hot plasma entered the wing, tearing it apart, and the resulting loss of control led to the vehicle disintegrating and the death of the crew.</p>


A commercial cargo spacecraft bound for the International Space Station (ISS) -- carrying the name of deceased NASA astronaut Kalpana Chawla -- arrived at the International Space Station for ‘rendezvous and capture’ on October 5.

A commercial cargo spacecraft bound for the International Space Station (ISS) -- carrying the name of deceased NASA astronaut Kalpana Chawla -- arrived at the International Space Station for ‘rendezvous and capture’ on October 5. Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian-born woman to enter space, has had the spacecraft named after her for her key contributions to human spaceflight. The SS Kalpana Chawla, a Northrop Grumman Cygnus, was launched from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia at 09:38 pm EDT. On the NG-14 mission, the SS Kalpana Chawla will deliver approximately 3,630 kilograms of cargo to the station. Research flying aboard the Cygnus includes the test of a biologic drug that could be used for the treatment of leukemia, a plant growth study that will cultivate radishes as a model for future crops in space, a compact toilet for astronauts to use on deep-space exploration missions and a 360-degree virtual reality camera that will be used to film during a spacewalk for an immersive cinematic production. Northrop Grumman, an American global aerospace and defence technology company said that this mission is named after Chawla in memory of the mission specialist who died with her six crewmates aboard the space shuttle Columbia in 2003 Northrop Grumman stated that it is proud to celebrate the life of Kalpana Chawla and her dream of flying through the air and in space. "It is the company's tradition to name each Cygnus after an individual who has played a pivotal role in human spaceflight," said Northrop Grumman. Born in Haryana, India, Chawla moved to the United States to earn her master's and doctorate degrees in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas in 1984 and the University of Colorado in 1988, respectively. She then began her career at NASA, conducting research in fluid dynamics at the Ames Research Center in California. After becoming a naturalised US citizen, Chawla applied for and became a NASA astronaut as a member of "The Flying Escargot," NASA's 15th class of trainees. In 1997, she launched on STS-87, a 15-day shuttle mission that was dedicated to the science flying as part of the fourth United States Microgravity Payload (USMP-4). Chawla's second spaceflight, STS-107, came to a tragic end on February 1, 2003, following 16 days of conducting science onboard the space shuttle Columbia. A small piece of foam that struck the orbiter's left wing during launch created a hole that went undetected during the mission. Upon Columbia's return to Earth, hot plasma entered the wing, tearing it apart, and the resulting loss of control led to the vehicle disintegrating and the death of the crew.

Cargo spacecraft SS Kalpana Chawla arrives at ISS

<p>American global aerospace and defense technology company&nbsp;Northrop Grumman has named&nbsp;the next Cygnus spacecraft&nbsp;after Dr Kalpana Chawla, the first woman of Indian descent to go to space.</p>

<p>Northrop Grumman said in a statement that ''Chawla was selected in honor of her prominent place in history as the first woman of Indian descent to go to space.''</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Today, <a href="https://twitter.com/northropgrumman?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NorthropGrumman</a> named the next <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Cygnus?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Cygnus</a> spacecraft launching to <a href="https://twitter.com/Space_Station?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Space_Station</a> in honor of astronaut Kalpana Chawla, the first woman of Indian descent to go to space: <a href="https://t.co/ncUSaSaESd">https://t.co/ncUSaSaESd</a><br />
<br />
Liftoff is targeted for Sept. 29 from <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA_Wallops?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NASA_Wallops</a>. <a href="https://t.co/Ss6ZoSZDbT">pic.twitter.com/Ss6ZoSZDbT</a></p>
— NASA (@NASA) <a href="https://twitter.com/NASA/status/1303400717252689921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 8, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<p>Cygnus spacecraft is the company's&nbsp;next space station resupply ship that will liftoff from&nbsp;NASA's Wallops flight facility in&nbsp;located on the eastern Shore of Virginia to the International Space Station (ISS) on&nbsp;September&nbsp;29.</p>

<p>Upon arrival at the International Space Station, the cargo will be unloaded from Cygnus. Once the spacecraft departs the station, S.S. Kalpana Chawla will host the Spacecraft Fire Experiment -V (Saffire-V) to study the behavior of large-scale fires in microgravity after which it will perform a safe, destructive reentry into Earth's atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean.</p>

<p><strong>Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/inspired-by-kalpana-chawla-kashmiri-youth-becomes-first-from-valley-to-clear-ame-cet-316295">&nbsp;Inspired by Kalpana Chawla, Kashmiri youth becomes first from valley to clear AME CET</a></strong></p>

<p>Kalpana Chawla, graduated from Tagore School, Karnal, India, in 1976 and received a bachelor`s degree in aeronautical engineering from India`s Punjab Engineering College in 1982.</p>

<p>She moved to the United States to go to graduate school at the University of Texas-Arlington, where she received a master's degree in aerospace engineering in 1984. Then, she moved to Boulder, Colo., to pursue a doctorate in aerospace engineering, which she received in 1988.</p>

<p>Her career with NASA began in 1988 when she went to work for the Ames Research Center in California. Chawla's work at Ames centered on powered-lift computational fluid dynamics, which involves aircraft like the Harrier.After a brief career outside NASA, she returned as an astronaut candidate in December 1994.</p>

<p>Her first flight was STS-87, the fourth U.S Microgravity Payload flight, on Space Shuttle Columbia from November&nbsp;19 to December&nbsp;5, 1997.</p>

<p>She returned to space on January&nbsp;16, 2003, aboard Columbia for a 16-day research flight. The STS-107 crew conducted more than 80 experiments.Chawla and her six STS-107 crewmates perished February&nbsp;1, 2003, over Texas as Columbia was re-entering Earth`s atmosphere.</p>


American global aerospace and defense technology company Northrop Grumman has named the next Cygnus spacecraft after Dr Kalpana Chawla, the first woman of Indian descent to go to space.

American global aerospace and defense technology company Northrop Grumman has named the next Cygnus spacecraft after Dr Kalpana Chawla, the first woman of Indian descent to go to space. Northrop Grumman said in a statement that ''Chawla was selected in honor of her prominent place in history as the first woman of Indian descent to go to space.'' Today, @NorthropGrumman named the next #Cygnus spacecraft launching to @Space_Station in honor of astronaut Kalpana Chawla, the first woman of Indian descent to go to space: https://t.co/ncUSaSaESd Liftoff is targeted for Sept. 29 from @NASA_Wallops. pic.twitter.com/Ss6ZoSZDbT — NASA (@NASA) September 8, 2020 × Cygnus spacecraft is the company's next space station resupply ship that will liftoff from NASA's Wallops flight facility in located on the eastern Shore of Virginia to the International Space Station (ISS) on September 29. Upon arrival at the International Space Station, the cargo will be unloaded from Cygnus. Once the spacecraft departs the station, S.S. Kalpana Chawla will host the Spacecraft Fire Experiment -V (Saffire-V) to study the behavior of large-scale fires in microgravity after which it will perform a safe, destructive reentry into Earth's atmosphere over the Pacific Ocean. Also read: Inspired by Kalpana Chawla, Kashmiri youth becomes first from valley to clear AME CET Kalpana Chawla, graduated from Tagore School, Karnal, India, in 1976 and received a bachelor`s degree in aeronautical engineering from India`s Punjab Engineering College in 1982. She moved to the United States to go to graduate school at the University of Texas-Arlington, where she received a master's degree in aerospace engineering in 1984. Then, she moved to Boulder, Colo., to pursue a doctorate in aerospace engineering, which she received in 1988. Her career with NASA began in 1988 when she went to work for the Ames Research Center in California. Chawla's work at Ames centered on powered-lift computational fluid dynamics, which involves aircraft like the Harrier.After a brief career outside NASA, she returned as an astronaut candidate in December 1994. Her first flight was STS-87, the fourth U.S Microgravity Payload flight, on Space Shuttle Columbia from November 19 to December 5, 1997. She returned to space on January 16, 2003, aboard Columbia for a 16-day research flight. The STS-107 crew conducted more than 80 experiments.Chawla and her six STS-107 crewmates perished February 1, 2003, over Texas as Columbia was re-entering Earth`s atmosphere.

American global aerospace company names spacecraft in honour of Kalpana Chawla

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Apollo, Columbia, Challenger: 7 deadliest space accidents that changed history

Meet Indians and Indian-origin icons who reached beyond Earth

Third Indian-origin woman, Sirisha Bandla, set to fly to space

Cargo spacecraft SS Kalpana Chawla arrives at ISS

American global aerospace company names spacecraft in honour of Kalpana Chawla