Space exploration has always been a frontier for human curiosity and ambition. The journey to the stars has been a collective effort of people from all corners of the world, and Indian-Americans have played a vital role in this endeavor. From the first Indian-American astronaut to fly in space to the latest astronaut candidates selected by NASA, Indian-Americans have made remarkable contributions to space exploration. In this article, we will take a look at some of the most accomplished Indian-American astronauts and their inspiring stories of dedication and perseverance.
The 4 Indian American Astronauts You Must Know About are:
Kalpana Chawla
Born in KarnAL, India, Chawla earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from Punjab Engineering College, and a Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Colorado. She joined NASA in 1988 and completed her first spaceflight as a mission specialist and primary robotic arm operator on STS-87 in 1997. She flew her second and final mission as the first Indian-American astronaut and mission specialist on STS-107 in 2003. Tragically, the Columbia Space Shuttle broke up during re-entry, and all seven crew members, including Chawla, lost their lives.
Sunita Williams
Born in Euclid, Ohio, Williams earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Science from the United States Naval Academy and a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management from Florida Institute of Technology. Williams was selected by NASA in 1998 and has flown on two Space Shuttle missions: STS-116 and STS-117. During her first long-duration mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as a member of Expedition 14 and Expedition 15, she set records for the longest spaceflight (195 days) by a woman and the most spacewalks (seven) by a woman.
Raja Chari
Raja Chari is an Indian-American astronaut, who was selected by NASA in 2017. He is a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Air Force and is currently training for his first spaceflight. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the United States Air Force Academy and a Master of Science degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He also served in the Iraq War as an operational test pilot and has flown over 2,000 hours in over 25 different aircraft.
Jasmin Moghbeli
Jasmin Moghbeli is an Indian-American astronaut, who was selected by NASA in 2017. She is a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Marine Corps and is currently training for her first spaceflight. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School. Moghbeli is also a combat veteran and a test pilot with over 2,000 flight hours in more than 25 different aircraft.
The Indian-American astronaut community has made a significant impact on the field of space exploration. From Kalpana Chawla’s pioneering flight to the International Space Station, to Sunita Williams’ record-breaking missions, these astronauts have pushed the boundaries of what is possible and opened new frontiers for future generations. They have served as inspirations to many, showing that with hard work, determination and perseverance, anyone can reach for the stars. The contributions of these Indian-American astronauts to space exploration will continue to be remembered and celebrated for many years to come.
