Kalpana Chawla Centre for Research in Space Science & Technology inaugurated at Chandigarh University

Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated Kalpana Chawla Centre for Research in Space Science & Technology at Chandigarh University on January 3, 2021. The establishment of the research centre is an important step towards strengthening the space sector of the country.

The Defence Minister likened the centre with ‘pride of India’ Kalpana Chawla, hoping that it would touch new heights of success, similar to the remarkable achievements of the late India-born astronaut, who brought universal recognition to India. 

“In the 21st century, the future of India can be secured only when you have a gleam in your eyes to reach the stars and planets. More Indians like Aryabhatta, Vikram Sarabhai, Satish Dhawan and Kalpana Chawla will emerge from amongst you all if you eye different planets and constellations,” said Rajnath Singh while inaugurating the establishment.

The Defence Minister also launched a Scholarship Scheme, worth Rs 10 crore, for the wards of Defence Personnel of the three Services.

Space sector is deeply connected with mapping, imaging and connectivity facilities, speedy transportation, weather forecast, disaster management as well as border security.

The new technologies played a crucial role in keeping the world connected during the COVID-19 pandemic.

— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) January 3, 2022

Kalpana Chawla Centre for Research in Space Science & Technology

• The research centre has been established with the objective of training students in space science, satellite development and to meet future challenges in space research.

• The state-of-the-art centre will be the Ground Control Station for Chandigarh University's Student Satellite (CUSat).

• CUSat is a nano-satellite, which is being designed in-house by the students of Chandigarh University and a Geo-Spatial Centre for research.

• The satellite will be among 75 student-built satellites that will be launched into space on the eve of India's 75th Independence Day in 2022. 

• With this, Chandigarh University has joined 13 institutes like the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kanpur, IIT Bombay to design and develop its own satellite. 

• It is the first university in North India to design and develop its own satellite. Around 75 students of the University have been working on the Chandigarh University Student Satellite Project under the guidance of eminent Indian scientists.

• The launch of CUSat will make Punjab the first border state in India to have its own satellite in space. 

Union Defence Minister remembered late India-born astronaut Kalpana Chawla, describing her as a symbol of women empowerment, who took a flight beyond imagination. He further urged the people to maintain their zeal & enthusiasm and motivate their daughters to go ahead & touch unimaginable heights, echoing the Government’s vision of increased participation of women in all sectors.

Chandigarh University Chancellor S Satnam Singh Sandhu was present at the inauguration of the Kalpana Chawla Centre for Research in Space Science & Technology along with various eminent scientists, faculty and students of the university. 

Who was Kalpana Chawla?

• Kalpana Chawla was the first woman of Indian origin to fly to space. She was an Indian-American astronaut who first flew on Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997 as a mission specialist and primary robotic arm operator.

• She flew to space for the second time aboard the ill-fated Space Shuttle Columbia in 2003, which disintegrated during its re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere. Chawla was one of the seven crew members who died in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster.

• Kalpana Chawla was on March 17, 1962, in Karnal in present-day Haryana, India. She got a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Punjab Engineering College, India.

• She moved to the United States in 1982 and got a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from Texas University at Arlington in 1984. She later did a second Masters's in 1986 and a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering in 1988 from the University of Colorado Boulder.

• She began working at NASA's Ames Research Center in 1988. After becoming a US citizen in April 1991, she applied for the NASA Astronaut Corps and joined the group in March 1995. 

• She was selected for her first flight in 1996 and her mission began on November 19, 1997, as part of the 6-member crew that flew aboard Colombia Space Shuttle flight STS-87. She became the first Indian woman to go into space and logged in more than 372 hours in space.

• She was selected for her second flight in 2001. The mission was repeatedly delayed due to scheduling conflicts and technical problems. The space shuttle finally took off on January 16, 2003 on the ill-fated STS-107 mission. The crew performed almost 80 experiments studying space science and earth and advanced technology development.

• During the launch, a piece of foam insulation had broken off from the Space Shuttle's external tank and struck the left wing of the orbiter, causing serious damage. Upon re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere, the damage allowed hot atmospheric gases to penetrate and destroy the internal wing structure of the spacecraft, which caused it to break apart.

• Kalpana Chawla along with six other crew members died on February 1, 2003, when the Columbia space shuttle disintegrated over Texas, shortly before it was scheduled to conclude its 28th mission.