Kalpana Chawla
Bold & Beautiful
1961 – 2003

“Fly into the heavens and touch the stars”
Kalpana lived her dream. Instead of touch-down in Florida amidst celebration, a pall of sadness descended upon India and America as the world watched the tragic ending of Space Shuttle Columbia on February 1, 2003.

Kalpana was born July 1, 1961 in Karnal, India where she graduated from Tagore School in 1976 and achieved her BS in Aeronautical Engineering from Punjab Engineering College in 1982. She moved to the US, continuing her education with a MS from the University of Texas and her PhD from the University of Colorado. Kalpana became a naturalized US citizen and married Jean-Pierre Harrison, a freelance flying instructor.

Kalpana was the youngest of four children from a traditional middleclass family but her interests and strong desires of accomplishment were far beyond typical with brilliant academic records, enjoyment of flying aerobatics and her goal of entering space were all attained in her short life.

She was chosen for a civilian scientist’s position on Columbia’s voyage from more than 2,000 applicants. Her academic accomplishments, intense physical fitness, pilot experience and commitment made Kalpana a perfect choice.

On February 1, 2003, her return was eagerly awaited and a moment of joy for all Indians and Americans, but fate had other plans. Along with her fellow crew of Rick D. Husband, William C. McCool, Michael P. Anderson, David M. Brown, Laurel B. Clark and Ilan Ramon (from Israel), Kalpana are truly heroes to the entire world.

Kalpana will always be a perpetual inspiration to all who dream to achieve his or her passion, to think beyond horizons and to continually reach for the stars.