Latest news with #KalpanaChawla
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Science
- Time of India
10 Indian-origin people who have been part of NASA and its programmes
Image credit: X As India's space program grows stronger with ISRO 's steady achievements, Indians and people of Indian-origin are also making their mark at NASA . From flying missions to leading important research in orbit and on Earth, they have played key roles in many of NASA's major projects. Here's a look at 10 Indian and Indian-origin professionals who have helped shape NASA's success. Kalpana Chawla Kalpana Chawla, an astronaut at NASA, made history in 1997 as the first woman of Indian origin to travel to space. She flew on the Space Shuttle Columbia (STS-87) and again on its final mission (STS-107) in 2003, when the shuttle tragically broke apart during re-entry. Even after her heartbreaking loss, Chawla's legacy continues to inspire students across India and around the world. Sunita Williams Sunita (Suni) L. Williams is a NASA astronaut and U.S. Navy officer of Indian-Slovenian origin who has had a remarkable career in space. Picked by NASA in 1998, she has flown on three missions– Expeditions 14/15, 32/33, and 71/72– and spent 608 days in space. She also holds the record for most spacewalk time by a female astronaut at 62 hours and 6 minutes. In June 2024, she led Boeing's Starliner crewed test flight and, after some technical issues, stayed on the International Space Station before returning home on SpaceX's Crew-9 Dragon in March 2025. Dr. Sharmila Bhattacharya Dr. Bhattacharya, a senior researcher at NASA's Ames Research Centre, is a leading scientist who heads the Space Biosciences division. Her work explores how spaceflight impacts biological systems, particularly immune responses and the effects of radiation, providing critical insights for long-duration human missions. Manisha Ganeshan Dr. Ganeshan studies the planetary boundary layer (PBL) in polar regions using satellite and on-site data. With 10 years of experience using GNSS RO satellites, she provides important data that NASA relies on. Named a Fellow of the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) in 2017, she also works with NASA Goddard's Global Modeling and Data Assimilation office to improve GEOS models and help predict Polar Lows and tropical cyclones. Swarupa Nune With a background in visual storytelling, Swarupa Nune is a video producer at NASA Goddard who brings climate science and space exploration to life. She has created multimedia features and unique projects, including orchestral collaborations that pair NASA satellite imagery with classical music, helping audiences connect with complex science in creative, engaging ways. Mamta Patel Nagaraja Mamta's career at NASA bridges technical expertise and public outreach. Now serving as Associate Chief Scientist for Exploration and Applied Research at NASA Headquarters, she began her career as an engineer, supporting lunar and planetary missions before moving into leadership and communication roles that help connect NASA's work with a wider audience. Narayanan Ramachandran Ramachandran, a seasoned aerospace engineer at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Centre, supports Jacobs Technology and plays a key role in the Space Launch System (SLS), with a particular focus on diffuser velocity testing for engine systems. Raja Chari Born to an Indian father and raised in Iowa, Raja Chari is an astronaut at NASA who was selected in 2017. In 2021–22, he commanded SpaceX Crew-3 and spent over 170 days aboard the ISS, and he's also part of NASA's Artemis Team, training for future Moon missions. Dr. Kamlesh Lulla Dr. Lulla is a veteran Earth scientist at NASA Johnson Space Centre who has built a long career as Chief Scientist for Earth Observations. Known for his expertise in remote sensing, he has advanced space-based land-use research and helped shape tools for disaster management and environmental monitoring. Dr. Ashwin Vasavada Dr. Vasavada is a planetary scientist at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Project Scientist for the Curiosity Mars Rover. He has led key operations studying Mars' climate and geology, helping scientists better understand the planet's history and its potential to have supported life in the past.
Indian Express
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
All about Champak, a popular children's magazine that has taken BCCI and IPL to court
From inspiring astronaut Kalpana Chawla to carry a T-shirt featuring one of its iconic characters to space to the inspiration behind cricketer Virat Kohli's nickname, Cheeku, being based on a recurring rabbit character — for over 50 years, Champak has been one of India's most popular homegrown children's magazine with a sizeable readership. Having started out in Hindi, the fortnightly magazine is now published in a total of eight languages. Delhi Press, which publishes the children's magazine and has held trademark of 'Champak' since 1968, had filed a trademark infringement suit against the Board of Control for Cricket (BCCI) and Indian Premier League (IPL) in the Delhi High Court. On Wednesday, the court refused to grant an interim injunction to the BCCI and IPL in connection with the case. Delhi Press has taken objection to the use of 'Champak' as the name of a robotic dog, mounted with cameras, which was launched by IPL this season as an entertainment feature. In popular culture First published in 1968 by Vishwa Nath, the founder of Delhi Press, who began his publishing journey in 1939, Champak is one of the country's most popular children's magazines with a readership of over 52 lakh, according to its publisher, the Delhi Press Patra Prakashan Ltd. It's biggest competitor was Chandamama, a monthly magazine popular for its illustrations, and mythological stories. According to Champak's publisher, it is the largest-read children's magazine in the country at present. Champak has also published over 40 books based on its animal stories, many of which are in their 10th or 12th reprint editions. Over the years, Champak was launched in various languages — Marathi (1971), Gujarati (1972), English (1975), Kannada (1992), and Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam (2004). For nearly 60 years, Champak, aimed at children aged 6-12 years, delighted its readers with its bouquet of short stories, comic strips, puzzles, brain teasers, jokes, do-it-yourself (DIY) activities and science facts. With a colourful cast of anthropomorphic characters — Cheeku, the rabbit; Meeku, the mouse; Baddy, the fox; Jumbo, the elephant; Blacky, the bear; Damru, the donkey; Teetri, the buttefly; Jumpy, the monkey; King Shersingh, the lion; Harry and Tarry, the frogs and Vivi, the wolf, among others — Champak's stories, which contain a blend of humour, wit and life lessons, are set in the Champakvan multiverse. While the magazine has seen an annual subscription price hike in recent years — from Rs 990 in 2022-23 to Rs 1,440 in 2024-25 — its printed copies across all eight languages have seen an increase in sales — from approximately one million copies sold in 2022-23 to 1.8 million in 2024-25. From Kalpana Chawla, Virat Kohli to Maneka Gandhi The magazine prides itself on a touching anecdote. Astronaut Kalpana Chawla, who died in the February 1, 2003, Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, was 'so inspired by the magazine that on her first voyage to space, she requested a memento from the Champak team'. The publisher says, 'She carried a T-shirt featuring Cheeku, the iconic rabbit from the magazine, to space. After her tragic death, her family returned the T-shirt to Champak. Her story — that of a dreamer who once read Champak and reached for the stars — continues to inspire young readers.' During the court proceedings, the judge brought up how the magazine's iconic rabbit was the inspiration behind cricketer Kohli's nickname. Besides Chawla and Kohli, politician and animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi has in the past engaged with Champak's readers, answering their questions about how to care for animals. Champak's evolution with the times In keeping up with the times, the magazine has forayed into other mediums, including more product offerings like activity worksheets to support reading, math, language, science and art in children. It has also marked its digital and social media presence, especially on Instagram and YouTube, with bite-sized animations, riddles, fun facts and comic reels, posted to engage both children and nostalgic adults, featuring Cheeku and Meeku. Champak is also set to release a 24- part animation series set in Champakvan, with familiar characters and their storylines. In collaboration with Audible and BigFM, Champak has also entered the arena of immersive audio storytelling, providing professionally narrated stories, complete with sound effects and music.
Gulf News
19-03-2025
- Science
- Gulf News
Honoring Kalpana Chawla: Indian-American Astronaut's Legacy of Inspiration
Chawla, the first Indian-origin woman to go to space, remembered on her birth anniversary Last updated: March 19, 2025 | 09:18 ians 2 MIN READ A file photo of Kalpana Chawla. She was posthumously awarded the Congressional Space Medal of Honor and NASA Space Flight Medal. NASA
