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Born in Karnal, Haryana, India. Developed an early interest in aerospace and flying, inspired by the first moon landing in 1969.
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Earns a Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh. One of the few women in India to pursue aeronautical engineering at the time.
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Moves to the United States for further studies. Earns a Master’s degree (1984) and a Ph.D. (1988) in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas and University of Colorado. Impact: Inspired young Indian women to pursue careers in aviation and space sciences, despite societal expectations.
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Begins work at NASA’s Ames Research Center as a research scientist. Specializes in fluid dynamics and computational aerospace engineering.
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Becomes the first woman of Indian origin to be selected by NASA for spaceflight.
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First Indian-born woman in space. Conducts microgravity experiments and deploys satellites. Impact: Becomes a national icon in India, proving that gender and nationality are no barriers to success in space exploration.
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Spends 16 days in space, conducting 80+ scientific experiments.
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Columbia shuttle disintegrates during re-entry, killing all 7 astronauts on board. The world mourns her loss, and she is honored posthumously. Impact: Her courage and achievements continue to inspire young girls in STEM fields worldwide.