Chapter-4 An Indian Women in Space : Kalpana Chawla

1. Where was Kalpana Chawla born and why is she referred to as an Indian-American?

Explanation:

Kalpana Chawla was born in Kamal, Haryana, India. She later married an American and became a naturalized citizen, hence she is referred to as an Indian-American.


2. Why did Kalpana Chawla go to the U.S. and who did she marry?

Explanation:

Kalpana Chawla went to the U.S. to pursue higher studies in aeronautical engineering. She married a flight instructor named Jean-Pierre Harrison.


3. How did Kalpana Chawla become an astronaut and what motivated her to pursue this career path?

Explanation:

Kalpana Chawla earned a bachelor's degree in aeronautical engineering before moving to the U.S. to pursue her education. She later earned a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering and was selected by NASA for astronaut training in 1994. Her passion for aviation and space exploration motivated her to pursue a career as an astronaut.


4. What skills and knowledge are essential for an astronaut, according to journalists?

Explanation:

According to journalists, an astronaut must have a strong understanding of biology, physics, and aeronautical engineering.


5. What was Kalpana Chawla's first space mission like?

Explanation:

Kalpana Chawla's first space mission was on the Columbia Space Shuttle and lasted for nearly 16 days. During this time, she orbited the Earth 252 times and conducted various scientific experiments. Her fellow crew members included astronauts from Japan and Ukraine.


6. What message did Kalpana Chawla have for college students regarding pursuing their dreams, and do you agree with her perspective?

Explanation:

Kalpana Chawla believed that it is always possible to achieve one's dreams if they have the vision and courage to pursue them. In a message to college students from space, she emphasized the importance of pursuing one's passion and realizing their full potential. I agree with her perspective that with hard work and determination, anyone can achieve their goals.


7. What was Kalpana Chawla’s significant accomplishment?

Explanation:

Kalpana Chawla was selected as an astronaut and had the chance to go into space. Her accomplishment was inspiring.


8. Can you explain what a space shuttle is and the name of the shuttle that took Kalpana into space?

Explanation:

 A space shuttle is a reusable spacecraft that can travel multiple times into space. It is different from a rocket. Kalpana went into space on the space shuttle named Columbia.


9. What led to Kalpana Chawla's death, and when did this occur?

Explanation:

 Kalpana Chawla and six other astronauts were aboard the space shuttle Columbia, which broke apart on February 1, 2003, resulting in the death of all seven crew members.


10. What can you tell us about Kalpana Chawla's education, and how did she become a citizen of the United States?

Explanation:

 Kalpana Chawla graduated from Tagore School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering. She went to the United States to pursue a PhD, and later married an American, after which she became a naturalized US citizen.


11. What information did you learn about the space shuttle Columbia from the passage, and what was its ultimate fate?

Explanation:

Columbia was a space shuttle that carried Kalpana and six other astronauts into space. On its return journey, it disintegrated over Texas, resulting in the loss of all seven crew members' lives.


12. Why did the journalist describe Kalpana Chawla as a heroine, and what examples did he provide to support his statement?

Explanation:

 The journalist called Kalpana Chawla a heroine because she was born in a small town and went on to become an accomplished astronaut with extensive knowledge in various subjects. She accomplished something great, which made her an inspiration for others.


13.  Can you provide a brief summary of Kalpana Chawla's life, including her birthplace, education, achievements, and tragic end?

Explanation:

 Kalpana Chawla was born in Kamal, Haryana. She earned a degree in aeronautical engineering in India and later completed her PhD in the USA. Her greatest achievement was being selected as an astronaut and blasting off on a space mission. She became a naturalized American citizen after marrying an American flight instructor named Harrison. Tragically, she died when the Columbia space shuttle broke apart and caught fire on February 1, 2003.


14. How has Kalpana Chawla's story inspired young people in India, and what message did she convey to college students in Chandigarh from the space shuttle?

Explanation:

 Kalpana Chawla's story has become an inspiration for millions of young Indians as she achieved great success despite coming from a small town. In a message to students of her college in Chandigarh, she encouraged them to pursue their dreams with courage and determination. She reminded them that success is possible if one has the vision and the courage to pursue it.


15. Frame sentences from the following phrases provided to you-

1.broke apart    2. streaked  over            3.  spread across

4.lifted off            5. blast off                       6.   went on

7.cheered along      8.on board                     9.   carry on

Explanation:

  1. broke apart – (separated or split): The old bridge broke apart after years of neglect.


  1. streaked over – (moved rapidly over a particular place or object): The shooting star streaked over the night sky, leaving behind a trail of light.


  1. spread across – (extended over an area): The news of the upcoming festival spread across the town, and everyone started preparing for it.


  1. lifted off – (taken off from the ground): The airplane lifted off the runway and soared into the sky.


  1. blast off – (launched into space): The rocket blasted off from the launchpad, carrying a payload of scientific instruments.


  1. went on – (continued to happen or exist): The concert went on despite the heavy rain, and the audience enjoyed every moment.


  1. cheered along – (encouraged or supported someone): The crowd cheered along the marathon runners, giving them the motivation to keep going.


  1. on board – (present inside a vehicle, such as a ship or plane): There were over 200 passengers on board the airplane when it took off.



  1. carry on – (continue to do something): Despite the challenges, she decided to carry on with her plans and pursue her dreams.


16. We add ‘un-’ to make opposites.


For example true – untrue


Add ‘un-’ to the words below to make their opposites. Then look up the meanings of the words you have formed in the dictionary.


identified _______________________    6.educated ________

controlled _____________________         7.interesting_______

attended _______________________      8.qualified ________

successful _______________________     9.trained _________

important _______________________     10. answerable_______

Explanation:

  • identified - unidentified

  • controlled - uncontrolled

  • attended - unattended

  • successful - unsuccessful

  • important - unimportant

  • educated - uneducated

  • interesting - uninteresting

  • qualified - unqualified

  • trained - untrained

  • answerable - unanswerable


Meanings:


  1. unidentified - not identified; not known

  2. uncontrolled - not controlled; not restrained

  3. unattended - not attended to or taken care of

  4. unsuccessful - not successful; not accomplishing a desired outcome

  5. unimportant - not important; not significant

  6. uneducated - not educated; lacking knowledge or training

  7. uninteresting - not interesting; not engaging or captivating

  8. unqualified - not qualified; lacking necessary skills or qualifications

  9. untrained - not trained; lacking training or experience

  10. unanswerable - not answerable; impossible to answer or explain