Sania     :  Did you listen the news ?

Sonia     :  Why  ? What happened, Sania ?

Peter      :  The Columbia space Shuttle exploded only sixteen minutes                          before it was to land !

Sania     :  Yes, I have heard it. Wasn't it horrible ? An Indian astronaut                            Kalpana Chawla, passed away in the explosion.

Sonia     :  I know, she belonged to Karnal in Haryana.

Peter      :  She was the first Indian woman to visit space.

Sania     :  Yes, she had gone to the United States to study. She become a                     rocket scientist and an astronaut.

Peter      :  And this was her second journey into space.

Sania     :  I went through the newspapers that she had spent 760 hours in                   space and moved around the earth 252 times.

Sonia     :  Wow, what a brave lady ! What was her age ?

Peter      :  She was just forty -one years old. She was born on 1st july,                           1961.

Sonia     :  How did she became an astronaut ?

Sania     :  She was outstanding in science. She liked flying. She had                             studied Aerospace Engineering at Punjab Engineering College                      in Chandigarh in 1976.

Peter      :  Hereafter, she went to the US for further study and to became a                   rocket scientist.

Sania     :  Was this her first journey in to space ?

Peter      :  No, this was her second journey. Her first journey took in place                     december, 1997.

Sania      :  I wish I could also become an astronaut.

Sonia      :  I, too How thrilling it would be to move around the Earth ?

Kalpana was often asked some questions. Following are the some of her answers. Why did you dream for going into space ?

Kalpana     :  I always realised that I was an important part of the                                       complete universe. In summers in Karnal, we used to sleep in                       the courtyard under the stars. I would be often fascinated by                       them.

                      I always dreamt of reaching them some how.

How did Karnal and your family assist you ?

Kalpana     :  Everyone encouraged at home firmly believed that hard work                        would get you whatever you wish. If you were determined,                            you could pursue and achieve your dreams.

Who are you heroes ?

Kalpana     :  Everyone encouraged at home firmly believed that hard work                        would get you whatever you wish if you where determined                            you could pursue and achieve your dreams. 

Who are your heroes ?

Kalpana      :  One is Tenzing Norgay the man who climbed mount Everest.                        The other is JRD Tata the renowned industrialist. He flew the                        first mail flights in India. Both of them never gave up.

What do you like the best regarding space travel ?

Kalpana      :  Simply watching the earth and the starts looking at our                                   planet roll by and the speed at which it goes. The earth is                               wonderfully beautiful. I wish every body could see it. 

What do you miss while remaining in space ?

kalpana      :  I miss hiking and cycling. There is no wind in the space. I                              miss that also. What will you like to inform the children                                  regarding world ?

Kalpana       :  Take care Of our planet. I wish you all the best for your                                    journey of life towards your dreams.