![]() Among other work, the STS-107 crew tested technology that NASA wanted to recycle water on the young International Space Station. 16, 2003.ĭuring the 16-day flight, the crew completed more than 80 experiments, working a strenuous shift schedule to ensure that the research never stopped, according to NASA. The mission was delayed several times before finally launching on Jan. In 2000, Chawla was selected for her second voyage into space, to serve as a mission specialist on STS-107. Two other astronauts from the mission had to perform a spacewalk to recapture the satellite and the instrument never conducted any research.Īfter her first flight, Chawla said, "When you look at the stars and the galaxy, you feel that you are not just from any particular piece of land, but from the solar system." The Columbia disaster However, the satellite malfunctioned and could not control its position upon deployment, according to NASA. In addition, Chawla used the robotic arm to deploy a satellite called SPARTAN 201, which was meant to study the outer layer of the sun, called the corona. The shuttle carried a number of experiments, including projects studying plant reproduction in microgravity and how materials behave in space. ![]() Chawla was a mission specialist and prime robotic arm operator for the flight the other astronauts on board were Kevin Kregel, Steven Linsey, Winston Scott, Takao Doi and Leonid Kadenyuk. The shuttle made 252 orbits of the Earth in just over two weeks. Each year from 1998, the school sent two girls to the Foundation for International Space Education's United Space School in Houston and Chawla would invite them into her home for an Indian dinner.Ĭhawla's first flight came in November 1997, aboard the space shuttle Columbia on flight STS-87. After a year of training, she became a crew representative for the Astronaut Office EVA/Robotics and Computer Branches, where she worked with Robotic Situational Awareness Displays and tested software for the space shuttles.Ĭhawla felt passionately about providing science education opportunities for young girls in India, and during her time as an astronaut, NASA invited Chawla's secondary school to take part in their Summer Space Experience Program. In 1994, Chawla was selected as an astronaut candidate. Becoming an astronautĬhawla aboard the space shuttle on January 27, 2003. ![]() In particular, her work focused on understanding how air flows around an aircraft during flight and incorporating computers into the work. She obtained her masters degree from the University of Texas and earned a doctorate in aerospace engineering from the University of Colorado in 1988.Ĭhawla began working at NASA's Ames Research Center the same year, working on powered-lift computational fluid dynamics. However, Chawla was adamant that this was the subject for her.Īfter completing her engineering degree in India, Chawla immigrated to the United States in the 1980s and became a naturalized citizen to continue her studies. When selecting the course, professors tried to dissuade her, as there were limited opportunities for girls in India following this career path. ![]() During her earlier education in India, Chawla attended Tagore Baal Niketan Senior Secondary School, Karnal.Ĭhawla obtained a degree in aeronautical engineering from Punjab Engineering College. ![]()
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