Chapter 4

                                                Reaching for the Stars


1. Who was Kalpana Chawla and why is she famous?

Answer: Kalpana Chawla was an Indian astronaut who became the first Indian woman to go to space. She is famous for her remarkable achievements in aeronautical engineering and space exploration with NASA. She is remembered as an inspiration for her determination and achievements.

2. Why was Kalpana Chawla called “Karnal ki Beti”?

Answer: Kalpana Chawla was called “Karnal ki Beti” because she was born and raised in Karnal, a small town in Haryana, India. The people of Karnal proudly considered her their daughter because of her success and international recognition.

3. Who was the first Indian to go to space before Kalpana Chawla?

Answer: The first Indian to go to space was Rakesh Sharma, an Indian Air Force officer who travelled to space before Kalpana Chawla.

4. Where did Kalpana Chawla complete her early education?

Answer: Kalpana Chawla completed her early education in Karnal, where she attended a local school. From a young age, she showed interest in flying and aeronautics.

5. What inspired Kalpana Chawla to become an astronaut?

Answer: Her inspiration came when her father took her to the Karnal Flying Club at the age of eight. This experience sparked her dream of flying and reaching space.

6. What did Kalpana study in college?

Answer: Kalpana studied Aeronautical Engineering at Punjab Engineering College from 1978 to 1982. She was one of the first women to study this subject.

7. Where did Kalpana pursue higher studies?

Answer: She moved to the United States to pursue higher studies. She joined the University of Texas for her master’s degree and later Colorado University for her doctorate.

8. How was Kalpana described by her university guide?

Answer: Her guide described her as a shy and quiet girl but one who had a very strong will and determination to achieve her goals.

9. What does “strong will” mean in Kalpana’s life?

Answer: Strong will refers to her determination and firm commitment to achieving her dream of becoming an astronaut, despite challenges.

10. Why did Kalpana move to the USA?

Answer: Kalpana moved to the USA to pursue higher education in aerospace and aeronautical engineering, which was essential for her dream of becoming an astronaut.

11. What does the phrase “from scratch” mean in Kalpana’s father’s life?

Answer: It means her father built his business from the beginning without any prior support or advantages.

12. What did Kalpana’s father do?

Answer: Her father, Banarsi Lal Chawla, had a successful tyre business which he built from scratch after migrating during the partition of India.

13. How did partition affect Kalpana’s family?

Answer: During the partition of India in 1947, her family had to flee from Pakistan and start a new life in India.

14. What does “flee” mean in the lesson?

Answer: Flee means to run away or escape quickly from danger or difficult situations.

15. What hobbies did Kalpana have as a child?

Answer: As a child, she enjoyed making aero models and was keenly interested in flying and space.

16. What does “keen” mean in Kalpana’s personality?

Answer: Keen means being very interested and enthusiastic about something, such as her interest in flying and space exploration.

17. Where did Kalpana earn her pilot’s licence?

Answer: She earned her pilot’s licence in the Bay Area of San Francisco between 1988 and 1994.

18. What is meant by acrobatic flying?

Answer: Acrobatic flying involves performing difficult and skillful movements in an aircraft, which Kalpana enjoyed doing.

19. Who did Kalpana marry?

Answer: Kalpana married Jean-Pierre Harrison, who was her flying instructor.

20. When did NASA accept Kalpana’s application?

Answer: NASA accepted her application in December 1994, and she joined astronaut training in 1995.

21. What challenges did astronaut training involve?

Answer: Astronaut training was extremely difficult, involving high physical stress, increased pulse rate, and complex technical requirements.

22. What does “assignment” mean in the lesson?

Answer: Assignment means a task or duty given to a person, such as Kalpana being assigned roles in space missions.

23. What role was given to Kalpana in STS-87 mission?

Answer: She was assigned as Mission Specialist and Prime Robotic Arm Operator in the STS-87 mission.

24. When did Kalpana achieve her dream of going to space?

Answer: She achieved her dream in November 1996 when she was assigned to the STS-87 mission.

25. What does “mission” mean?

Answer: A mission is a special task or journey undertaken by a person or group, especially in space exploration.

26. How was Kalpana connected to Indian culture?

Answer: Kalpana loved Indian music and dance. She listened to Ravi Shankar, Hariprasad Chaurasia, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and learned Bharatanatyam.

27. What does “disbelief” mean in the lesson?

Answer: Disbelief means inability to believe something, such as the world’s reaction to the Columbia shuttle disaster.

28. What happened to the space shuttle Columbia?

Answer: The space shuttle Columbia exploded on 1st February 2003 due to technical failure, killing all astronauts on board.

29. Why was the Columbia disaster shocking?

Answer: It was shocking because it was broadcast live, and people around the world watched the tragic explosion in disbelief.

30. How much time did Kalpana spend in space?

Answer: Kalpana spent about 760 hours in space during her missions.

Answer by Mrinmoee