Summary: “Women in Space” is Lesson 8 from the ASSEB (Assam State Board of Secondary Education) Class 7 English textbook Sunbeam English Reader II. The lesson is a biographical account of Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian-born woman to travel to space. Born on 1 July 1961 in Karnal, Haryana, Kalpana was deeply fascinated by aircraft and the sky from her childhood. She pursued her passion relentlessly, earning a degree in aeronautical engineering in India and later completing her Master’s degree and doctorate in aerospace engineering in the United States. She joined NASA and was selected as a mission specialist. In 1997, she flew aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia on mission STS-87, becoming the first Indian-born woman in space. Her mission was to study the outer atmosphere of the sun. She was the only woman in the crew of seven. In 2003, she returned to space on mission STS-107. Tragically, during re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere on 1 February 2003, the Columbia shuttle broke apart in flames at an altitude of 61,000 metres, and all seven crew members, including Kalpana Chawla, lost their lives. As a tribute to her memory, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) named a meteorological satellite “Kalpana-1” in her honour. The lesson inspires students to dream big, work hard, and never give up on their passion.
About Kalpana Chawla
Kalpana Chawla was born on 1 July 1961 in Karnal, a city in the state of Haryana, India. From her early childhood, she was fascinated by aircraft and had a strong desire to explore the skies. She completed her schooling in Karnal and went on to pursue her interest in aviation and aerospace science. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh. She later moved to the United States of America, where she completed her Master’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington and her doctorate (PhD) in aerospace engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder.
Kalpana Chawla joined NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) — the American space agency that studies the Earth, the sun, the solar system, and beyond, and sends satellites and spacecraft into space. She was selected as a mission specialist. In November 1997, she flew as part of the crew of the Space Shuttle Columbia on mission STS-87, becoming the first Indian-born woman to go into space. The mission’s primary aim was to study the outer atmosphere of the sun. She was the only woman among the seven-member crew of that mission.
In 2003, Kalpana Chawla went on her second space mission — STS-107 — aboard the Columbia shuttle. On 1 February 2003, as the shuttle was re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere after the completion of its mission, it broke apart in flames at an altitude of 61,000 metres. All seven astronauts on board, including Kalpana Chawla, lost their lives in the disaster. The world mourned the loss of this remarkable woman who had broken barriers and inspired millions. To honour her memory and contribution to science, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) named a meteorological satellite “Kalpana-1” after her.
A. Understanding the Lesson
(a) Who was the first Indian-born woman astronaut to travel to space?
Answer: Kalpana Chawla was the first Indian-born woman astronaut to travel to space. She flew aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia on mission STS-87 in November 1997.
(b) Where was Kalpana Chawla born?
Answer: Kalpana Chawla was born on 1 July 1961 in Karnal, a city in the state of Haryana, India.
(c) What was Kalpana Chawla’s childhood dream?
Answer: Kalpana Chawla’s childhood dream was to travel to space. From a very young age, she was fascinated by aircraft and the sky, and she dreamed of exploring the universe beyond the Earth.
(d) What does NASA do?
Answer: NASA stands for National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It is the American space agency that studies the Earth, including its climate, the sun, the solar system, and beyond. It also designs and sends satellites and spacecraft to space for scientific research and exploration.
(e) What was the aim of Columbia’s Flight STS-87?
Answer: The aim of Columbia’s Flight STS-87 in 1997 was to study the outer atmosphere of the sun. Kalpana Chawla was part of the seven-member crew on this mission and was the only woman in the team.
(f) How did Kalpana Chawla die?
Answer: Kalpana Chawla died on 1 February 2003 when the Space Shuttle Columbia broke apart in flames during its re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere at an altitude of 61,000 metres. All seven astronauts on board, including Kalpana Chawla, lost their lives in this tragic disaster.
(g) Why was the satellite named “Kalpana-1”?
Answer: The satellite was named “Kalpana-1” as a tribute to Kalpana Chawla after her tragic death in the Columbia shuttle disaster in 2003. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) renamed its meteorological satellite in her honour to keep her memory alive and to recognise her outstanding contribution to science and space exploration.
(h) Write the important dates and numbers associated with Kalpana Chawla’s life and career.
Answer:
| Date / Number | Significance |
|---|---|
| 1 July 1961 | Date of birth of Kalpana Chawla, in Karnal, Haryana |
| 1997 | Year of her first space mission — STS-87 aboard Space Shuttle Columbia |
| STS-87 | Designation of her first space shuttle mission |
| 2003 | Year of her second space mission — STS-107; also the year of the Columbia disaster |
| 1 February 2003 | Date of the Columbia shuttle disaster; Kalpana Chawla and six others died |
| 61,000 metres | Altitude at which the Columbia shuttle broke apart during re-entry |
| 7 | Total number of astronauts who died in the Columbia disaster |
B. Grammar: Direct and Indirect Speech
Read the following sentences and understand the difference between direct and indirect speech:
Rules for converting Direct Speech to Indirect Speech:
- In indirect speech, quotation marks are removed.
- Pronouns change according to the subject of the reporting clause (e.g., “I” becomes “she/he”).
- Tenses change (e.g., present simple becomes past simple; “have” becomes “had”).
- Words indicating time and place may also change (e.g., “today” becomes “that day”).
- For questions in indirect speech, the word order becomes statement order (subject + verb), and “if” or “whether” is used for yes/no questions.
(i) Mayuri said, “I have read about it on the internet.”
Answer: Mayuri said that she had read about it on the internet.
(ii) Mayuri asked Manas, “Do you know what NASA is?”
Answer: Mayuri asked Manas if he knew what NASA was.
(iii) Manas said, “Our country will always remember her.”
Answer: Manas said that their country would always remember her.
(iv) The teacher said, “Kalpana Chawla was born in Karnal, Haryana.”
Answer: The teacher said that Kalpana Chawla was born in Karnal, Haryana.
(v) Mayuri said, “I want to become an astronaut.”
Answer: Mayuri said that she wanted to become an astronaut.
C. Vocabulary and Word Study
1. Verb Forms
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the verb given in brackets. Use the base form, s-form, past form, or -ing form as required:
| Base Form | S-form (3rd person singular) | Past Form | -ing Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| look | looks | looked | looking |
| fly | flies | flew / flown | flying |
| travel | travels | travelled | travelling |
| study | studies | studied | studying |
| meet | meets | met | meeting |
| dream | dreams | dreamed / dreamt | dreaming |
(i) Mayuri __________ (meet) Manas on her way to school.
Answer: Mayuri meets Manas on her way to school. (s-form — present simple)
(ii) I’m sure she __________ (love) flying in space.
Answer: I’m sure she loved flying in space. (past form)
(iii) It has __________ (fly) to the sky.
Answer: It has flown to the sky. (past participle — used with “has”)
2. Word Game: Remove the First Letter
Remove the first letter of each word below to form a new word:
| Original Word | New Word (first letter removed) |
|---|---|
| flight | light |
| space | pace |
| know | now |
| train | rain |
| star | tar |
| place | lace |
3. Words from “BECAUSE”
Make as many words as you can from the letters in the word “BECAUSE”:
Answer: Some words that can be formed from the letters in “BECAUSE” are: cause, base, case, cube, cue, ace, use, sea, bus, bee, cab, sue, cubs, bees, abuse, sauce.
4. Vocabulary: Key Words and Meanings
Learn the meanings of these important words from the lesson:
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| astronaut | A person trained to travel and work in space |
| atmosphere | The layer of gases surrounding the Earth or another planet |
| mission | An important task or journey with a specific purpose |
| aerospace | Relating to the design and study of aircraft and spacecraft |
| orbit | The curved path of a spacecraft or satellite around a planet |
| meteorological | Relating to the study of weather and the atmosphere |
| crew | A group of people working together on a spacecraft or ship |
| tribute | An act or gift done to show respect and admiration for someone |
| re-entry | The return of a spacecraft into the Earth’s atmosphere |
| disaster | A sudden event causing great damage or loss of life |
D. Speaking and Writing Activities
1. Have You Heard…? (Conversation Practice)
Using the phrase “Have you heard…?”, have a conversation with your partner about women in space. A sample dialogue is given below:
Sample Dialogue:
Mayuri: Have you heard about Kalpana Chawla?
Manas: Yes, I have! She was the first Indian-born woman to go to space, wasn’t she?
Mayuri: That’s right. She travelled to space in 1997 on mission STS-87.
Manas: I also read that she studied aerospace engineering in the United States.
Mayuri: Yes. She worked very hard and never gave up on her dream. She is a great inspiration for all of us.
2. Write a Short Biography
Write a short biography of Kalpana Chawla in about 80–100 words.
Answer (Sample Biography):
Kalpana Chawla was born on 1 July 1961 in Karnal, Haryana, India. From childhood, she was fascinated by aircraft and space. She earned her degree in aeronautical engineering in India and later completed her PhD in aerospace engineering in the United States. She joined NASA and became the first Indian-born woman to travel to space, on mission STS-87 in 1997. Her mission was to study the outer atmosphere of the sun. In 2003, she went on her second mission, STS-107. Tragically, the Columbia shuttle broke apart on re-entry on 1 February 2003, and Kalpana Chawla and her six crewmates lost their lives. She remains a symbol of courage, determination, and achievement for millions around the world.
3. Research: Other Women Astronauts
Find information about the following women astronauts and write two or three sentences about each:
| Name | Country | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Valentina Tereshkova | Soviet Union (Russia) | First woman in space (1963), flew on Vostok 6 mission |
| Sally Ride | USA | First American woman in space (1983), flew on Space Shuttle Challenger |
| Sunita Williams | USA (Indian heritage) | Indian-American astronaut; holds records for spacewalk time by a woman; flew on STS-116 and ISS missions |
| Kalpana Chawla | India / USA | First Indian-born woman in space (1997); died in Columbia disaster (2003) |
4. Writing: What I Want to Become
Write five sentences about what you want to become when you grow up. How does Kalpana Chawla’s life inspire you?
Answer (Sample — I want to become a scientist):
- When I grow up, I want to become a scientist and work on space exploration.
- Kalpana Chawla’s life story teaches me that hard work and determination can turn any dream into reality.
- She never gave up despite facing many challenges on her path to becoming an astronaut.
- Her courage and sacrifice inspire me to study science seriously and never stop dreaming big.
- Just like Kalpana Chawla, I want to make my country proud through my achievements.
Additional Questions and Answers
1. Why was the Space Shuttle Columbia important in Kalpana Chawla’s career?
Answer: The Space Shuttle Columbia was important in Kalpana Chawla’s career for two significant reasons. First, it was the vehicle that carried her on her first space mission, STS-87, in 1997, making her the first Indian-born woman in space. Second, it was also aboard Columbia that she embarked on her second and final mission, STS-107, in 2003. Tragically, the Columbia broke apart during re-entry on 1 February 2003, resulting in the deaths of all seven crew members, including Kalpana Chawla. The shuttle thus marks both the highest point and the tragic end of her remarkable career.
2. How did Kalpana Chawla inspire people in India and around the world?
Answer: Kalpana Chawla inspired people in India and around the world in many ways. She showed that a young girl from a small town in India could break barriers and reach the highest levels of achievement through hard work, determination, and passion. As the first Indian-born woman to travel to space, she became a role model especially for women and young people aspiring to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Her courage in the face of the unknown and her sacrifice in the pursuit of scientific knowledge continue to motivate generations to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals.
3. What does Kalpana Chawla’s story teach us about following our dreams?
Answer: Kalpana Chawla’s story teaches us several important lessons about following our dreams. It teaches us that perseverance and dedication are essential — she pursued her dream of flying in space despite the many challenges and obstacles along the way. It shows us that passion, combined with hard work and education, can help us overcome any barrier. Her story also teaches us that where we come from — whether a small town or a big city — does not limit what we can achieve. Most importantly, her life reminds us that the pursuit of one’s dreams, even if cut short, leaves a lasting legacy that can inspire others for generations.
4. What is the difference between an astronaut and a scientist? Could Kalpana Chawla be called both?
Answer: A scientist is a person who studies or investigates natural phenomena using systematic research and experiments. An astronaut is a person who is trained to travel and work in space. Kalpana Chawla could certainly be called both. She was a highly qualified scientist with a doctorate in aerospace engineering, and she conducted scientific experiments during her space missions. At the same time, she was a trained NASA astronaut who travelled to space twice. Her dual identity as both a scientist and an astronaut made her one of the most accomplished individuals in the history of space exploration.
5. Why is it important to study about people like Kalpana Chawla?
Answer: It is important to study about people like Kalpana Chawla because their life stories serve as a source of inspiration and motivation. Learning about her journey teaches us the values of hard work, courage, and determination. Her example shows students — especially girls — that they too can pursue careers in science and technology, regardless of their background. Reading about achievers like Kalpana Chawla also broadens our knowledge about space science, history, and the contributions that individuals can make to the progress of humanity. Their stories remind us that every great achievement begins with a dream and the will to pursue it.
6. Write True or False for the following statements:
Answer:
- (a) Kalpana Chawla was the only woman in her first space mission crew. — True
- (b) The Columbia shuttle broke up during its launch. — False (It broke up during re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere.)
- (c) Kalpana Chawla’s death was a great loss to space exploration. — True
- (d) Kalpana Chawla studied aerospace engineering in the United States. — True
- (e) Kalpana Chawla’s first space mission was in 2003. — False (Her first mission was in 1997; her second mission was in 2003.)
- (f) The satellite “Kalpana-1” was built before her death. — False (It was named in her memory after her death in 2003.)
7. Fill in the blanks with correct words from the lesson:
Answer:
- (a) Kalpana Chawla was born in Karnal, Haryana.
- (b) Kalpana’s first space mission was aboard the Columbia Space Shuttle.
- (c) Kalpana Chawla was the first Indian-born woman to go into space.
- (d) Kalpana Chawla went on her second space mission in 2003.
- (e) Kalpana Chawla’s first space mission was the STS-87 mission.
- (f) The satellite named after Kalpana Chawla is called Kalpana-1.
8. Name the two space shuttle missions that Kalpana Chawla was part of. What happened on each mission?
Answer: Kalpana Chawla was part of two space shuttle missions:
- STS-87 (1997): This was her first mission aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. The mission’s primary objective was to study the outer atmosphere of the sun. She was the only woman among the seven-member crew and made history as the first Indian-born woman to travel to space. The mission was completed successfully.
- STS-107 (2003): This was her second and final mission, again aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. The mission was a research mission. However, on 1 February 2003, as the shuttle was re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere at the end of the mission, it broke apart in flames at an altitude of 61,000 metres. All seven crew members, including Kalpana Chawla, lost their lives in this tragic disaster.