NASA launched its commercial cargo spacecraft named after Kalpana Chawla - the first Indian-born woman to reach low earth orbit, on Thursday. The spacecraft is meant to commemorate the deceased NASA astronaut’s unparalleled contributions to human spaceflight.
Bound for the International Space Station (ISS), the S.S. Kalpana Chawla was launched from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. The spacecraft will arrive at and be attached to the space station two days later.
The spacecraft, named Cygnus by make, has been manufactured and launched by Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems as part of NASA's Commercial Resupply Services program. The S.S. Kalpana Chawla will deliver approximately 3,630 kilograms of cargo to the ISS.
Some of this payload includes a biologic drug test that can possibly be used for the treatment of leukaemia, refined radishes for future crops in space, a compact toilet for deep-space exploration as well as a 3D camera to film the future spacewalks of the ISS crew.
Expanding on this list, Robyn Gatens, acting director of the International Space Station at NASA headquarters said, "We have an advanced particulate monitor to measure airborne particulates and several things than that. That's going to help us enable future exploration missions. We also have science experiments. So we have, we have cancer research going on on this on this flight rehab. We have refined radishes. In our advanced plant habitats. And then we have outreach."
Northrop Grumman, an American aerospace and defence technology firm and the maker of the satellite, said that this mission commemorates Chawla, who died with her six crewmates aboard the space shuttle Columbia in 2003.
"It is the company's tradition to name each Cygnus after an individual who has played a pivotal role in human spaceflight," said Northrop Grumman.
Born in Karnal, Haryana, India, Chawla moved to the United States for higher studies, eventually beginning her career at NASA, conducting research in fluid dynamics at the Ames Research Center in California.
Chawla became a NASA astronaut as a member of "The Flying Escargot," NASA's 15th class of trainees. She took her first spaceflight in 1997 aboard the STS-87, a 15-day shuttle mission that was dedicated to science flying.
Chawla made the ultimate sacrifice in service during her second spaceflight, STS-107. Following 16 days in orbit, space shuttle Columbia disintegrated upon its return to Earth, resulting in the death of all seven crew members on February 1, 2003.
The launch of the spacecraft marked a special moment for many, including Kalpana's husband. In an interaction with ANI, Jean Pierre Harrison said "I would say that Kalpana would be very flattered that this rocket is named after her." He highlighted that the launch had a larger context, that "Indians can compete with the rest of the world to be successful."