Northrop Grumman, an American aerospace company, has announced that it is naming its next spacecraft after the late NASA astronaut Kalpana Chawla. She was the first India-born woman to enter space.

Key Facts!

• The spacecraft will be named S.S. Kalpana Chawla. It is an NG-14 Cygnus spacecraft, which will carry goods to the International Space Station (ISS).
• The company said that it is its tradition to name each Cygnus spacecraft after an individual who has played an important role in human spaceflight.
• The S.S. Kalpana Chawla is scheduled to launch from Virginia, US on 29 September.
• The spacecraft will arrive at and be attached to the ISS two days later.
• It will deliver around 3,629 kg of cargo (goods) to the space station.

Who was Kalpana Chawla?

• Kalpana Chawla was born in Karnal, Haryana in 1962.
• She went to the US to pursue higher studies and got a PhD in aerospace engineering from the University of Colorado.
• She was also trained as a commercial pilot and flight instructor.
• Chawla was selected as a NASA astronaut in 1994 after she became a US citizen.
• Chawla’s first mission to space was in November 1996, becoming the first woman of Indian descent to fly in space.
• She lost her life during her second mission in 2001 when the Space Shuttle Columbia broke up while re-entering the atmosphere.
• The mission had six more crew members.
• After the disaster, space shuttle flight operations were suspended for two years.

Similar Stories!

• Breaking Barriers: NASA’s Indian Woman Scientist
• Astronaut Kalpana Chawla, we wish you a Happy Birthday!

Watch a video

In-flight footage of Space Shuttle Flight 113, also known as STS-107 (NASA) with Kalpana Chawla and other crew members.

 

Curious Times is a leading newspaper and website for kids. We publish daily global news aligned to your learning levels (also as per NEP 2020): Foundational, Preparatory (Primary), Middle and Senior. So, check out the News tab for this. We bring kids’ favourite Curious Times Weekly newspaper every weekend with top news, feature stories and kids’ contributions. Check out daily JokesPoke, Tongue Twisters, Word of the Day and Quote of the Day, kids need it all the time.

ME – My Expressions at Curious Times is your place to get your work published, building your quality digital footprint. And it is a good way to share your talent and skills with your friends, family, school, teachers and the world. Thus, as you will step into higher educational institutes your published content will showcase your strength.

Events, Quizzes and Competitions bring students from over 5,000 schools globally to participate in the 21st-Century themes. Here schools and students win certificates, prizes and recognition through these global events.

Sign-up for your school for FREE!

Communicate with us: WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Youtube, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

  0  (Please login to give a Curious Clap to your friend.)

To post your comment Login/Signup