Summary & Question-answers of The Chapter:4- An Indian American Woman in Space: Kalpana Chawla with the concerned video

An Indian American Woman in Space: Kalpana Chawla Summary

As a child, Kalpana never dreamt of space travel. It was not sufficient for her to graduate from an engineering college. After graduating as an aeronautical engineer from Punjab Engineering College, she went for a master’s degree to the United States, in spite of her father’s opposition. Later, she  did her P.hD in the subject. She had the pride of being the first India born American woman Astronaut to blast off from Florida and be a part of the successful space mission. Kalpana was born in Karnal, Haryana but was a naturalised U.S Citizen. She married a flight instructor - Jean Pierre Harrison. Apart from being an astronaut, she was also trained to fly single and multi engine land airplanes, single seaplanes and gliders. She was a certified flight instructor. After qualifying as  a pilot, she decided to apply to NASA’S SPACE SHUTTLE PROGRAM and was selected for training as an Astronaut. She was an extraordinary woman who thought differently and was an enthusiastic  and optimistic. Her first space mission was 16 days long. During this time, she travelled 10.45 million kilometres in 252 orbits.The crew had seven members and they conducted 80 experiments. They also checked if  food could be grown in space, how stronger metals and faster computer chips could be created. The news of Columbia disaster made everyone grief stricken. A shock wave was spread everywhere. A journalist called her a heroine. She had enormous potential and wide information - encyclopaedic knowledge of each subject. Her achievements were actually marvellous. She created history and became an inspiration for everyone. Her life is a testimony that dreams can get success. The only thing we need to make them a reality is courage and vision.

 Answer the following:

1. Where was Kalpana Chawla born? Why is she called an Indian – American?

A- She was born at Karnal in Haryana. She is called an Indian American because she was an Indian by birth and later became a citizen of the United States by marriage.

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

A- After completing her graduation she went to U.S for a master’s degree. She married to a flight instructor - Jean-Pierre Harrison. 

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

A- By doing her degree in aeronautical engineering from Punjab Engineering College,Chandigarh, P.h.d in aerospace engineering from States, she became an astronaut. Her success as a pilot gave her idea that she can be an astronaut.

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

A- According to the journalist, one must have thorough, encyclopaedic knowledge of every subject to be an astronaut.

 5. Describe Kalpana Chawla’s first mission in space.

A- Kalpana’s first space mission in the space shuttle, Columbia, was about 16 days long. During this time she went around the earth 252 times covering 10.45 million kilometres! The crew included a Japanese and a Ukranian astronaut. The crew performed experiments.They pollinated plants to check food growth in space and conducted tests for making stronger metals and faster computer chips — all for a price tag of about 56 million dollars.

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

A-She says that every dream can be a success.The only thing that one needs to pursue it is courage and vision.Yes, I completely agree with this.