Kalpana Chawla - the first woman of Indian origin to fly to space - breathed her last on February 1, 2003. Yet, her legacy remains unmatched!
A wise man once said, "Some people live their whole lives and are forgotten once they die, while others live for a short time but are remembered forever." Well, Kalpana Chawla belonged to the latter. In her short yet extraordinary life, she achieved the greatest height (quite literally the sky) and, in doing so, inspired generations of dreamers worldwide. Even after more than two decades since her tragic demise, her name continues to be spoken with pride and admiration. And every time we remember her, we don’t mourn her loss, but celebrate her legacy.
To honor Chawla's incredible journey and achievement, several places and things have been named after her as a tribute. From space missions to educational institutions, her name lives on, reminding the world that dreams have no boundaries, and more importantly, no gender. Today, on the late astronaut's 63rd birth anniversary, we take a look at some of them.
In February 2003, shortly after the passing of Chawla, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) renamed its first meteorological satellite, MetSat-1, to Kalpana-1. This gesture honored her contributions to space exploration and her Indian heritage. Launched on September 12, 2002, Kalpana-1 continues to play a crucial role in weather forecasting and monitoring cyclones, serving as a lasting legacy of her passion for space and science.
Happy birthday Kalpana chawla
— Indian Women's History Museum (@theiwhm) March 17, 2019
To honour her bravery and achievements, the first satellite of Met-Sat series, "MetSat-1" launched by India was renamed "Kalpana-1.#KalpanaChawla #firstwomanIndian #NASAWomen #IndianWomenHistoryMuseum#WomenWhoMadeHistory pic.twitter.com/7tuYYwMjMK
(Credit: Indian Women's History Museum)
Discovered on July 19, 2001, by the Near-Earth Asteroid Tracking (NEAT) program at Palomar Observatory, this main-belt asteroid was posthumously named 51826 Kalpanachawla in 2003. The International Astronomical Union honored Chawla by naming the asteroid after her, ensuring that her name remains among the stars she so dearly admired.
(Credit: kalvium_official)
Established in 2017, the Kalpana Chawla Government Medical College in Karnal, Haryana, stands as a tribute to her enduring legacy. Named by the Government of Haryana in her honor, this institution aims to provide quality medical education and healthcare services. The college is affiliated with Pandit Bhagwat Dayal Sharma University of Health Sciences and has an annual intake of 120 MBBS students, reflecting Chawla's dedication to learning and excellence.
(Credit: kcgmc_official_haryana_)
In 2004, NASA's Ames Research Center unveiled a supercomputer named "Kalpana" to honor Chawla's legacy. This state-of-the-art machine was the world's first single-system image (SSI) Linux supercomputer, boasting 512 Intel Itanium 2 processors. It played a major role in climate modeling and simulation, embodying Chawla's commitment to advancing scientific knowledge.
While making the announcement, Ames Center Director G. Scott Hubbard said, "It is indeed an honour to name NASA's new supercomputer after Kalpana Chawla. We all miss her and her many contributions to the agency."#KalpanaChawla #BirthAnniversary #ThisDayInHistory #DidYouKnow pic.twitter.com/ezuf0U9v69
— The Better India (@thebetterindia) March 17, 2023
(Credit: The Better India)
Located near Jyotisar on Pehowa Road in Kurukshetra, Haryana, the Kalpana Chawla Memorial Planetarium was inaugurated on July 24, 2007, by the Haryana State Council for Science and Technology. This facility aims to impart non-formal education in astronomy, inspiring countless students and enthusiasts to gaze at the stars, much like Chawla did in her youth.
NH-44 passing through Kurukshetra in #Haryana provides easy access to the #KalpanaChawla Memorial Planetarium. The place highlights amazing aspects of science, which particularly caters to students and provides a vivid range of information about the universe. #NHAI #ExploringNH44 pic.twitter.com/bMSi8H87YZ
— NHAI (@NHAI_Official) December 15, 2023
(Credit: NHAI)
In a touching tribute, the 74th Street in Jackson Heights, Queens, New York City, was renamed "Kalpana Chawla Street." This renaming serves as a reminder of her international impact and the inspiration she provided to the Indian diaspora and beyond.
As a tribute to the fallen astronauts of the Columbia mission, seven hills on Mars were named after each crew member. One of these hills bears the name "Chawla," ensuring that her legacy extends beyond Earth, symbolizing her dream of exploring the cosmos.
The Sun sets on Mars, as seen by the Spirit rover looking down from the Columbia Hills. These hills – Anderson, Brown, Chawla, Clark, Husband, McCool, and Ramon – forever bear the names of the astronauts lost on Feb. 1, 2003. https://t.co/21LSsrEilc#NASARemembers pic.twitter.com/mxlx1W0AEK
— NASA Mars (@NASAMars) February 1, 2023
(Credit: NASA Mars)
In memory of the Columbia crew, seven craters surrounding the Apollo crater on the Moon were named after the astronauts. The "Chawla" crater stands as a celestial tribute to her contributions to space exploration.
These reflect the unparalleled impact Kalpana Chawla had left on the world. Her legacy continues to inspire people to pursue their dreams, reach for the stars, and most importantly, contribute to humanity's quest for knowledge.
