Sunita Williams returns to Earth from space just 2 days after Kalpana Chawla’s birthday

The world rejoiced as NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore safely returned to Earth after a nine-month space mission.

As they returned, many were reminded of another Indian-American astronaut who left an indelible mark on space exploration—Kalpana Chawla, whose birthday falls two days before the two astronauts came back to Earth after being there for 286 days.

On February 1, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia, carrying Kalpana Chawla and six other astronauts, disintegrated during re-entry into Earth's atmosphere over Texas, resulting in the death of all seven crew members.

The Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart during re-entry, shortly before it was scheduled to land at the Kennedy Space Center.

The damage allowed hot gases to penetrate the Shuttle, leading to the wing's structural failure and the shuttle's disintegration.

NASA recovered 84,000 pieces of debris, representing nearly 40 per cent of Columbia by weight, in an area of 2,000 square miles in east Texas.

Kalpana Chawla was born on March 17, 1962, in Karnal, Haryana, and grew up with a fascination for airplanes and space. Encouraged by her family, she pursued her passion, earning a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from Punjab Engineering College.

Later, she moved to the United States to obtain a master’s degree from the University of Texas in 1984, followed by a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado in 1988. She joined NASA in 1994.

Three years later, she made history as the first woman of Indian origin in space when she flew aboard Space Shuttle Columbia on mission STS-87 in 1997.

During this mission, she served as a mission specialist and robotic arm operator.