4. An Indian-American Woman in Space: Kalpana Chawla

Introduction: This chapter tells the inspiring story of Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian-American woman astronaut. She was born in Karnal, Haryana, but went on to touch the skies and beyond.

Summary

Kalpana Chawla was born in Karnal, Haryana. She completed her schooling there and then went to the USA for higher studies in aeronautical engineering. She married Jean-Pierre Harrison, a flight instructor, and became a naturalized US citizen.

She was selected by NASA for astronaut training in 1994. Her first space mission was in the space shuttle Columbia in 1997. It lasted nearly 16 days. She went around the earth 252 times!

Tragically, on her second mission in 2003, the space shuttle Columbia broke apart while returning to Earth. Kalpana and six other astronauts lost their lives. The whole world mourned this great loss.

Message: Kalpana Chawla sent a message from space to students in Chandigarh: "The path from dreams to success does exist. May you have the vision to find it, the courage to get onto it... Wishing you a great journey."

Character Sketch

Kalpana Chawla: Determines, hardworking, and courageous. She never let her gender or background stop her from chasing her dreams. She is an inspiration to millions of girls.

Word Meanings

Naturalized: Admitted to the citizenship of a country.
Frontiers: Borders or limits of knowledge.
Awe-inspiring: Creating a feeling of respect and wonder.
Tragedy: A very sad event.
Crew: A group of people working on a ship or spacecraft.
Journalist: A person who writes for newspapers or magazines.

Question 1:

Where was Kalpana Chawla born? Why is she called an Indian-American?

Ans: Kalpana Chawla was born in Karnal, Haryana. She is called an Indian-American because she was born in India but later married an American flight instructor and became a naturalized citizen of the USA.

Question 2:

When and why did she go to the U.S.? Who did she marry?

Ans: She went to the U.S. for a master's degree in aeronautical engineering. She married flight instructor Jean-Pierre Harrison.

Question 3:

How did she become an astronaut? What gave her the idea that she could be an astronaut?

Ans: After qualifying as a pilot, she applied to NASA's space shuttle program. She was selected for training in 1994. The people around her encouraged her to pursue her dreams, which gave her the idea.

Question 4:

What abilities must an astronaut have, according to the journalist?

Ans: An astronaut must have encyclopaedic knowledge. They need to know everything from biology to astrophysics to aeronautical engineering. They must be able to do everything.

Question 5:

Describe Kalpana Chawla’s first mission in space.

Ans: Her first mission was in the space shuttle Columbia. It lasted 15 days, 16 hours and 34 minutes. She went around the earth 252 times, traveling 10.45 million kilometers. The crew performed experiments like pollinating plants.

Question 6:

What does Kalpana Chawla say about pursuing a dream? Do you agree with her that success is possible?

Ans: She says that the path from dreams to success does exist. One needs the vision to find it and the courage to get onto it. Yes, I agree that success is possible if we work hard for it.

Grammar Rules: Prepositions

1. Preposition

A preposition shows the relationship of a noun/pronoun to another word in the sentence.

2. Common Prepositions

- In/At: For place or time (In India, At 5 PM).
- On: Surface or day (On the table, On Monday).
- To: Direction (To school).
- By: Agency or time limit (By bus, By 4 PM).

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