Kalpana Chawla, an Indian-born American astronaut, became the first woman of Indian origin in space. Born on March 17, 1962, in Karnal, India, she broke societal norms to pursue her passion in aeronautical engineering.

Educated in India and the USA, she earned her Ph.D. in aerospace engineering before joining NASA.

Chawla's first NASA mission was on the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997.

Her second flight in 2003 ended in tragedy when Columbia disintegrated upon re-entry, taking her and her six crewmates' lives.

Honored posthumously, Chawla’s legacy endures in awards, scholarships, and memorials worldwide, including renamed satellites, asteroids, streets, and educational institutions.

She symbolizes courage and the global pursuit of knowledge and exploration.

In memory of her death, she was elected as member of the European Academy of Engineering in 2004.