Remembering Kalpana Chawla on her 13th death anniversary February 01,2003 - February 01,2016

On February 01,2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated over Texas and Louisiana as it re-entered Earth's atmosphere, killing all 7 crew members, including Indian-born astronaut Kalpana Chawla, the first Indian woman in space.

Columbia was the first space-rated Space Shuttle in NASA's orbiter fleet. Over 22 years of service, it completed 27 missions before disintegrating during re-entry near the end of its 28th mission.

Kalpana Chawla was known as India's pride. She first flew on Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997 as a mission specialist and primary robotic arm operator.

Born on March 17, in Karnal, Haryana, she began working at the NASA Ames Research Center in 1988.

Kalpana Chawla's untimely, tragic death in 2003, was a huge shock for the entire nation. On her 13th death anniversary, the nation proudly remembers her achievements that were instrumental in making India a renowned name in the space world