Kalpana Chawla — Questions and answers

Read the full story

What special thing did Kalpana Chawla do, according to this page?

Choices

  1. She was the first woman to build a space shuttle.
  2. She was the first woman of Indian origin to journey into space twice. ✓
  3. She was the captain of the Space Shuttle Columbia.
  4. She discovered a new star.

Answer: She was the first woman of Indian origin to journey into space twice.

From page 1

What did Kalpana Chawla enjoy doing when she was growing up?

Choices

  1. Playing video games all day.
  2. Sketching airplanes and reading about aviation. ✓
  3. Building tall buildings.
  4. Learning about dinosaurs.

Answer: Sketching airplanes and reading about aviation.

From page 2

Where did Kalpana Chawla earn her Master of Science degree in aerospace engineering?

Choices

  1. University of Colorado Boulder
  2. NASA Ames Research Center
  3. University of Texas at Arlington ✓
  4. Karnal, India

Answer: University of Texas at Arlington

From page 3

What special qualifications did Kalpana Chawla have that made her a good choice for NASA's astronaut corps?

Choices

  1. She was an excellent cook.
  2. She had advanced engineering expertise and a pilot's license for planes and gliders. ✓
  3. She was good at playing sports.
  4. She knew many languages.

Answer: She had advanced engineering expertise and a pilot's license for planes and gliders.

From page 4

What was Kalpana Chawla's job during her first spaceflight on Mission STS-87?

Choices

  1. She was the pilot of the shuttle.
  2. She was responsible for cooking for the crew.
  3. She was a mission specialist, deploying a satellite and operating the robotic arm. ✓
  4. She was a photographer, taking pictures of Earth.

Answer: She was a mission specialist, deploying a satellite and operating the robotic arm.

From page 5

What was the main purpose of the STS-107 mission, Columbia's final journey?

Choices

  1. To visit a new planet.
  2. To conduct over 80 experiments dedicated to scientific research. ✓
  3. To deliver supplies to the International Space Station.
  4. To practice landing on the moon.

Answer: To conduct over 80 experiments dedicated to scientific research.

From page 7

What caused the Space Shuttle Columbia to fail during its re-entry into Earth's atmosphere?

Choices

  1. It ran out of fuel.
  2. A piece of insulating foam struck the wing during launch, creating a breach. ✓
  3. It was hit by a meteor.
  4. The pilot made a mistake.

Answer: A piece of insulating foam struck the wing during launch, creating a breach.

From page 8

What important changes happened because of the investigation into the Space Shuttle Columbia accident?

Choices

  1. NASA stopped all space missions forever.
  2. NASA decided to only send robots to space.
  3. Shuttle components were redesigned, and inspection protocols were enhanced. ✓
  4. They built a new type of foam.

Answer: Shuttle components were redesigned, and inspection protocols were enhanced.

From page 9

How does Kalpana Chawla's legacy continue to inspire people today?

Choices

  1. By encouraging them to become famous movie stars.
  2. By reminding them to eat healthy food.
  3. By inspiring young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. ✓
  4. By teaching them how to build airplanes in their backyard.

Answer: By inspiring young women to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

From page 10