CBSE Class 6 English NCERT Solutions: An Indian American Woman in Space

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This chapter, 'An Indian American Woman in Space,' delves into the inspiring life of Kalpana Chawla, a pioneering Indian-American astronaut. The NCERT Solutions provide detailed answers to questions about her birthplace, her journey to the U.S., her career as an astronaut, and her historic first mission aboard the space shuttle Columbia. Students will explore the immense dedication and knowledge required for space exploration, as highlighted by the journalist's perspective. The solutions also cover the tragic final voyage of the Columbia, detailing key facts about the mission. Furthermore, the chapter emphasizes Kalpana Chawla's motivational message about pursuing dreams and achieving success through vision and courage. These solutions are designed to help students understand the text thoroughly and prepare effectively for their exams by offering clear explanations and factual recall.

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Quick info

BoardCBSE
ClassClass 6
SubjectHoneysuckle
Session2026
LanguageEnglish
TypeNCERT Solutions
Chapter4. An Indian American Women in Space

Chapter summary

This chapter focuses on the biography of Kalpana Chawla, an Indian-American astronaut. The NCERT Solutions cover her early life, her move to the U.S., and her selection by NASA. It details her first space mission, the experiments conducted, and the tragic end of the Columbia's final voyage. The solutions also highlight her philosophy on achieving dreams and the qualities needed for success. This section aims to enhance reading comprehension and factual recall related to Kalpana Chawla's life and space missions.

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the biographical details of Kalpana Chawla.
  • Identify the reasons for her being called an Indian-American.
  • Recall the key events of her first space mission.
  • Learn about the requirements and challenges of being an astronaut.
  • Comprehend her message on pursuing dreams and achieving success.
  • Extract specific facts about the Columbia's final voyage.

Topics covered

Paper topics

  • Biography of Kalpana Chawla
  • Indian-American identity
  • Astronaut training and requirements
  • Space shuttle missions
  • Columbia space shuttle
  • Scientific experiments in space
  • Pursuing dreams and success
  • Reading comprehension of biographical texts

Important topics

  • Kalpana Chawla's life journey
  • Becoming an astronaut
  • First space mission details
  • Message on achieving dreams
  • Facts about the Columbia disaster

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

1. Answer the following questions.

a) Where was Kalpana Chawla born? Why is she called an Indian – American?

Solution:

Kalpana Chawla was born in Karnal, a city in the state of Haryana, India. She is referred to as an 'Indian-American' because although she was born and raised in India, she later moved to the United States, pursued her higher education there, and eventually became a naturalized citizen of the U.S. This dual connection to both countries defines her identity as an Indian-American.

Question 1

b) When and why did she go to the U.S.? Who did she marry?
Solution:

Kalpana Chawla went to the U.S. after completing her Bachelor of Science degree in aeronautical engineering. Her primary reason for going to the U.S. was to pursue a master's degree in aerospace engineering. During her time in the U.S., she met and married Jean-Pierre Harrison, who was a flight instructor.

Question 1

c) How did she become an astronaut? What gave her the idea that she could be an astronaut?
Solution:

After earning her qualifications as a pilot, Kalpana Chawla applied to NASA's space shuttle program. Initially, she was employed as a research scientist at NASA. In 1994, she was selected by NASA for astronaut training. Her success and achievements as a pilot were what inspired her and gave her the confidence and the idea that she could indeed become an astronaut.

Question 1

d) What abilities must an astronaut have, according to the journalist?
Solution:

According to the journalist, becoming an astronaut requires immense capability and a broad range of knowledge. It is stated that an astronaut must possess extensive knowledge across various disciplines, including biology, astrophysics, and aeronautical engineering. In an era characterized by high specialization, the journalist emphasizes that an astronaut needs to have 'encyclopedic knowledge' to be successful in their role.

Question 1

e) Describe Kalpana Chawla's first mission in space.
Solution:

Kalpana Chawla's inaugural space mission was aboard the space shuttle Columbia. This mission lasted for 15 days, 16 hours, and 34 minutes. During this period, the shuttle completed 252 orbits around the Earth, covering a distance of 1.45 million kilometers. The crew successfully conducted various experiments, including studies on plant growth in space to observe food development and tests aimed at creating stronger metals and faster computer chips. The total cost associated with this mission was 56 million dollars.

Question 6

What does Kalpana Chawla say about pursuing a dream? Do you agree with her that success is possible?
Solution:

Kalpana Chawla shared an inspiring thought about achieving one's aspirations: "The path from dreams to success does exist. May you have the vision to find it, and the courage to get onto it...."

Yes, I agree with her statement that success is indeed possible. When an individual possesses strong willpower, unwavering determination, and the courage to confront the challenges that arise while striving for their dreams, achieving success becomes a tangible reality.

Question B.1

Read the newspaper report to find the following facts about the Columbia's ill-fated voyage.

1. Date and place of lift off:

Solution:

The lift-off for the Columbia's final voyage occurred on January 16, 2003, from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Question B.2

Number of astronauts on board:
Solution:

There were a total of 7 astronauts on board the space shuttle Columbia during its final mission.

Question B.3

Number of days it stayed in space:
Solution:

The space shuttle Columbia stayed in space for a duration of 16 days on its last mission.

Question B.4

Number of experiments done by scientists:
Solution:

The scientists on board the Columbia conducted approximately 80 different experiments during the mission.

Question B.5

Date of return journey:
Solution:

The scheduled date for the return journey of the Columbia was Saturday, February 1, 2003.

Question B.6

Height at which it lost contact:
Solution:

Contact with the space shuttle Columbia was lost when it was at an altitude of 200,000 feet above the ground.

Common mistakes

  • Confusing the definition of 'Indian-American'.
  • Misremembering specific dates or numbers related to the space missions.
  • Not fully grasping the concept of 'encyclopedic knowledge' for astronauts.
  • Overlooking the inspirational message about dreams and success.

Revision tips

  • Create a timeline of Kalpana Chawla's life and career milestones.
  • Summarize the key experiments conducted during her first mission.
  • Note down the specific qualities mentioned for an astronaut.
  • Reflect on Kalpana Chawla's quote about dreams and success and relate it to personal aspirations.
  • Memorize the factual details about the Columbia's final voyage for quick recall.

Practice MCQs

Q1. Where was Kalpana Chawla born?

Q2. Why is Kalpana Chawla referred to as an 'Indian-American'?

Q3. What was the duration of Kalpana Chawla's first space mission?

Q4. According to the journalist, what kind of knowledge is required to be an astronaut?

Q5. What did Kalpana Chawla say about the path from dreams to success?

Q6. On what date did the Columbia's final voyage begin?

Frequently asked questions

Who is Kalpana Chawla?

Kalpana Chawla was an Indian-American astronaut and aerospace engineer who became the first woman of Indian origin to fly in space.

Why is Kalpana Chawla called an Indian-American?

She is called an Indian-American because she was born in India but later became a naturalized citizen of the United States.

What were the key aspects of Kalpana Chawla's first space mission?

Her first mission was aboard the space shuttle Columbia, lasted over 15 days, involved conducting scientific experiments, and orbited the Earth 252 times.

What advice did Kalpana Chawla give about pursuing dreams?

She advised that the path from dreams to success exists and requires the vision to find it and the courage to pursue it.

What factual information is provided about the Columbia's final voyage?

The solutions provide details such as the lift-off date (January 16, 2003), the number of astronauts (7), the duration in space (16 days), the number of experiments (80), the return date (February 1, 2003), and the height at which contact was lost (200,000 feet).

How do these NCERT solutions help students?

These solutions help students understand the chapter 'An Indian American Woman in Space' by providing clear answers to comprehension questions, reinforcing factual recall, and explaining key concepts related to Kalpana Chawla's life and space exploration.

Important links

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