Energy News  
India Releases Illustrated Comic Book On NASA Astronaut Kalpana Chawla

File photo of Kalpana Chawla.

Mumbai (AFP) Sep 04, 2005
The life of Indian-born NASA astronaut Kalpana Chawla, who died when space shuttle Columbia disintegrated while re-entering the Earth's atmosphere two years ago, has been immortalised in comic book form.

A 32-page graphic novel was released at a local bookstore and on the Internet Sunday as part of the Amar Chitra Katha series of Indian heroes and historical events published by India Book House.

"Kalpana's story is of unusual courage, ambition and achievement, which will inspire young people for times to come," said the publisher's marketing communications manager Pooja Vir. "She is a true contemporary hero."

The series is widely read, with 437 titles and sales estimated at 90 million worldwide since 1970. The book on Chawla sells for 30 rupees (70 cents).

The book recounts the life of the astronaut from her early childhood in a north Indian town in Haryana state to her experiences as mission specialist on the shuttle which disintegrated on February 1, 2003, killing all seven crew.

Dozens of children at the book launch watched a 20-minute documentary on Kalpana Chawla's experiences working with NASA, provided by her husband Jean-Pierre Harisson.

"I came here with mixed thoughts," said 15-year-old Mumbai student Meghna Pithadia. "But I am convinced to make space exploration my career."

Community
Email This Article
Comment On This Article

Related Links
SpaceDaily
Search SpaceDaily
Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express
Space Shuttle News at Space-Travel.Com



Memory Foam Mattress Review
Newsletters :: SpaceDaily :: SpaceWar :: TerraDaily :: Energy Daily
XML Feeds :: Space News :: Earth News :: War News :: Solar Energy News


NASA Assesses Hurricane Katrina Damage
Huntsville AL (SPX) Aug 31, 2005
NASA is marshaling agency resources to assist Gulf Coast-area facilities that suffered damage from Hurricane Katrina. The agency is preparing to provide help for NASA employees and contractors whose homes were damaged or destroyed.







  • Fuel Cells Might Get Hydrogen From Water, Organic Material
  • It's Electric: Cows Show Promise As Powerplants
  • Katrina Lays Bare US Refinery Crisis
  • Fuel Cells Might Get Hydrogen From Water, Organic Material

  • China Won't Sign On To PSI
  • China Issues White Paper On Arms Control
  • South China Province Picks Likely Site For Fourth Nuclear Plant
  • U.K. Decommissioning More Expensive Than Expected

  • Getting To The TOPP Of Houston's Air Pollution
  • Scientists Seek Sprite Light Source



  • Novel Compounds Show Promise As Safer, More Potent Insecticides
  • Agriculture Reviving In Aceh After Tsunami: Scientists
  • Analysis: EU Farm Aid Under Spotlight
  • Global Warming To Boost Scots Farmers

  • SUV Drivers Beware: Paris Can Be A Deflating Experience
  • Mitsubishi, TEPCO To Team Up On Electric Car: Report
  • Intelligent System Offers Safer Tunnel Traffic For Europe
  • The Driving Doctor: Take Time To Observe

  • Pakistan Air Force To Hold Big War Games
  • Lockheed Martin's System Helping FAA Train New Controllers
  • Aviation Transformation Includes New Aircraft, Upgrades
  • China Issues License To Egypt Manufacturer To Build Fighter Jet Trainer

  • NASA plans to send new robot to Jupiter
  • Los Alamos Hopes To Lead New Era Of Nuclear Space Tranportion With Jovian Mission
  • Boeing Selects Leader for Nuclear Space Systems Program
  • Boeing-Led Team to Study Nuclear-Powered Space Systems

  • The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement