Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian woman in space, tragically died on February 1, 2003.

She was part of the Space Shuttle Columbia's crew, which disintegrated during re-entry.

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Chawla's journey began in Karnal, India, and led her to NASA through her academic achievements.

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She was a key member of the STS-107 mission, dedicated to scientific research.

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The 16-day mission involved earth science, astronomy, and physics experiments.

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The shuttle's re-entry was marred by a foam insulation impact, damaging its thermal protection system.

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Despite damage, the shuttle continued descent, but disaster struck on February 1, 2003.

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The Columbia disintegrated over Texas, resulting in the tragic loss of all seven crew members.

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The Columbia disaster spurred safety improvements and reaffirmed the risks of space exploration.

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