<P> Kalpana Chawla ( March 17 , 1962 -- February 1 , 2003 ) was an American astronaut and the first woman of Indian origin in space . She first flew on Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997 as a mission specialist and primary robotic arm operator . In 2003 , Chawla was one of the seven crew members who died in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster when the craft disintegrated during its re-entry into the Earth 's atmosphere . Chawla is a recipient of the Congressional Space Medal of Honor . </P>
<P> Kalpana Chawla ( March 17 , 1962 -- February 1 , 2003 ) was an American astronaut and the first woman of Indian origin in space . She first flew on Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997 as a mission specialist and primary robotic arm operator . In 2003 , Chawla was one of the seven crew members who died in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster when the craft disintegrated during its re-entry into the Earth 's atmosphere . Chawla is a recipient of the Congressional Space Medal of Honor . </P>
who was the first indian woman to go to space
who was the first indian woman to go to space
Kalpana Chawla
Kalpana Chawla