Ten Unknown Facts About Kalpana Chawla

 Ten Unknown Facts About Kalpana Chawla

• First Woman of Indian Origin in Space

Kalpana Chawla was the first woman of Indian origin and the second person of Indian descent (after Rakesh Sharma) to travel to space.

• Her Birth Name Was Different

Kalpana was born as Montu Chawla. Her name was later changed to Kalpana, which means "imagination" or "creativity" in Sanskrit, reflecting her visionary spirit.

• Passion for Flying Started Early

As a child, she would often sit on her rooftop and gaze at the night sky, dreaming about flying. She would visit the local flying club with her father and watch planes take off and land.

• She Held a Certified Pilot’s License

Apart from being an astronaut and aerospace engineer, Chawla was also a licensed commercial pilot for single and multi-engine airplanes, seaplanes, and gliders.

• She Was a Vegetarian

Despite being in a demanding profession, Chawla followed a strict vegetarian diet throughout her life, even during her space missions.

• Selected for the Space Program Despite Tough Competition

Out of thousands of applicants, Kalpana was one of the six women selected for the NASA space program in 1994—a rare achievement at the time.

• First Woman to Control a Robotic Arm in Space

During her first mission aboard STS-87 (Columbia) in 1997, Chawla was responsible for operating the Shuttle’s robotic arm to deploy a satellite—a historic achievement for women in space.

• Dedicated to Promoting STEM Education

Chawla often visited schools and universities, encouraging young students, especially girls, to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

• She Loved Classical Indian Dance and Poetry

Despite her scientific background, Chawla had a deep interest in Indian classical dance and often quoted poetry, especially from Rabindranath Tagore.

• Her Last Email to Friends Was About Space

Before the tragic Columbia disaster, Chawla wrote an email to her friends saying, "The view of Earth from space is truly breathtaking. It's hard to imagine how fragile our planet looks from up here."

Kalpana Chawla’s life was a perfect blend of science, art, and passion—making her not only a pioneering astronaut but also an enduring symbol of inspiration and courage.