Kalpana Chawla's path to the Milky Way

As a first year student at Punjab Engineering College, Kalpana had surprised everyone by presenting a paper on "Time Lapse in Space". She became the secretary of Aero-Astro Club of her college. As a secretary, she arranged for screening of movie, "Those Magnificent Men in Flying machines". Her path to the Milk Way was laid just then.

Kalpana Chawla wanted to do her MS in Aerospace Engineering In Texas University. Her father at first was not willing to send her abroad. She persisted. Knowing her determination, her father sent Sanjay, her brother along with her to United States of America. She did her PhD in Aerospace Engineering in Colorado University

In 1988, Kalpana Chawla started working in NASA Ames research centre. Her credentials won her a dual responsibility in California. She joined Overset Methods Inc, Los Altos as Vice-president and Research Scientist. In December 1994, she was selected by NASA out of 2962 applicants as an astronaut candidate. According to NASA, her academic accomplishments, intense physical fitness and experience as a pilot made her a natural choice. She reported to the Johnson Space centre in March 1995. Her path to the Milky Way was paved then.

Kalpana Chawla did not simply gaze at stars. She cherished the ambition of flying to Mars. She worked hard to realize her ambition. She chased her dream through half the globe. She lived her dream twice. Today the name "Kalpana Chawla" has become a source of inspiration to women at large.