NASA honours Kalpana Chawla and 6 other astronauts killed in Columbia space shuttle 15 years ago

During countdown demonstration test activities on Dec. 20, 2002, the STS-107 crew is seen near the top of Launch Pad 39A. From left are Michael Anderson, Rick Husband, Laurel Clark, William McCool, llan Ramon, Kalpana Chawla and David Brown.

Credits: NASA

Source: NASA
NASA honored the seven astronauts killed aboard shuttle Columbia 15 years ago, with a special musical tribute.

At Kennedy Space Center, many gathered to remember the Columbia crew killed in the line of duty over the decades.

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Seven hills where NASA’s rover Spirit spent several years exploring the Martian terrain are named in remembrance of the final crew of Space Shuttle Columbia. https://go.nasa.gov/2F8QaET  #NASARemembers

10:11 PM - Jan 25, 2018

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Seven astronauts—including the first woman of Indian origin astronaut Kalpana Chawla— died Feb. 1, 2003, when Columbia shattered in the skies over Texas.

A piece of foam, falling from the external tank during launch, had opened a hole in one of the shuttle’s wings, leading to the breakup of the orbiter upon re-entry. The incident happened just minutes before a Florida touchdown.

Born in Karnal, 130 km from Chandigarh, Chawla was the first woman of Indian origin in space. The space scientist, who did her engineering degree in aeronautical engineering from Chandigarh's Punjab Engineering College (PEC), was chosen by NASA for her second space mission in January 2003.

A planetarium has also been set up in her name in Kurukshetra town, 40 km from here.