February 1, 2003—On this day in Arlington’s history, UTA alumna and astronaut Kalpana Chawla tragically died in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. At the time of her death, Dr. Chawla had logged over 30 days in space.
Kalpana Chawla
Born in Karnal, India, in 1962, Chawla moved to the U.S. in 1982. She graduated from UTA in 1984 with a master’s degree in aerospace engineering, later earning her doctorate from the University of Colorado.
After joining NASA, she made history in 1997 as the first Indian woman in space. She returned to orbit as a crew member aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia; tragically, on February 1, 2003, the shuttle broke apart over Texas during re-entry. All seven crew members perished.
Referred to as “KC” by her friends, Chawla is remembered for her kindness, sense of humor, and passion for flight. UTA preserves her legacy through Kalpana Chawla Hall—a residence hall featuring a remembrance wall and time capsule—and the College of Engineering’s memorial display. Kalpana’s journey continues to inspire our community and the world.
Kalpana Chawla | Photo Credit: NASA
UTA’s website has more info about Dr. Chawla’s life, work, and legacy.
https://www.uta.edu/academics/schools-colleges/engineering/about/facilities/kc-exhibit
Blog post by Jason S. Sullivan, 02-01-2024
Jason S. Sullivan 