Kalpana Chawla was an Indian-American astronaut who died in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster on February 1, 2003. The disaster occurred when the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated during its re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere, killing all seven crew members on board.

Cause of the Disaster

The cause of the disaster was attributed to a piece of foam insulation that broke off from the shuttle's external fuel tank during launch. The foam struck the leading edge of the left wing, damaging the thermal protection system. During re-entry, hot gases entered the damaged wing, causing it to disintegrate.

The crew members on board were aware of the damage to the shuttle, but NASA engineers believed it was not a safety concern and did not inform the crew. As a result, the crew was unaware of the danger they were in.

Kalpana Chawla's Death

Kalpana Chawla was one of the seven crew members on board the Space Shuttle Columbia. She was the mission specialist and primary robotic arm operator. Chawla's death was a result of the disintegration of the shuttle during re-entry.

The shuttle's disintegration occurred at an altitude of approximately 200,000 feet, and the crew members did not survive the impact. The debris from the shuttle fell over a large area of Texas and Louisiana.

Conclusion

The Space Shuttle Columbia disaster was a tragic event that claimed the lives of seven crew members, including Kalpana Chawla. The cause of the disaster was a piece of foam insulation that broke off from the shuttle's external fuel tank during launch, causing damage to the thermal protection system. This tragedy highlighted the importance of safety measures in space travel and the need for constant improvement in technology and procedures.

Kalpana Chawla, India's first woman astronaut died a tragic death. While returning from her mission of outer space, her space shuttle Columbia disintegrated into the Earth's atmosphere. ... As the shuttle passed through the atmosphere, hot gas streaming into the wing caused it to break up.