Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian-born woman to fly in space would have turned 55 today if not for that fateful accident on February 1, 2003 when Space Shuttle Columbia perished upon entry to the earth's atmosphere leading to her death and six other astronauts.
Let's take a look at some facts about this wonder woman whose achievements continue to inspire many.
Early life
Kalpana Chawla was born on March 17, 1962, in Karnal, India. She was the first Indian-American astronaut and first Indian woman in space. She first flew on Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997, as a mission specialist and primary robotic arm operator.
Kalpana chose her own name
Apparently her parents never gave her a formal name but nicknamed her Montu. She picked her formal name at age three when she was brought to a nursery school by her aunt. The principal asked her name to which her aunt replied: "We have three names in our mind - Kalpana, Jyotsna and Sunaina." When the principal asked her to pick a name she chose Kalpana.
