An inspiration and idol to countless girls, Kalpana Chawla was the first woman of Indian origin in space, and only the second Indian origin person in space overall. After completing her graduation in Engineering, she from India to the US in 1982 and made her first space trip aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997.

Chawla’s second space trip in 2003 ended tragically when the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated during re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere, killing her and all the other crew members. She had spent nearly 31 days in space during her two missions.

On Kalpana Chawla’s 55th Birth Anniversary, Twittarti paid tribute to the path-breaking astronaut, view tweets below:

Tributes to #KalpanaChawla on her Birth anniversary. Always an inspiration and symbol of courage and strength.

— Akil Antony (@imAkil92) March 17, 2017

A woman who made India proud.
Remembering #KalpanaChawla on her Birth Anniversary. #JaiHind #BharatMataKiJai pic.twitter.com/DCAv2AQWI2

— Tahaves (@Tahavesmshaikh) March 17, 2017

Remembering #KalpanaChawla on her birth anniversary. An incredible journey of a woman who remains an inspiration for millions.

— Milton P T (@DopMilton) March 17, 2017

Probably the only name comes to our mind ,when we talk about space and astronaut –#KalpanaChawla ..can you remember another women ? yu cant

— Dhilip Deerkay (@_Dhilip_) March 17, 2017

My humble tributes to the daughter of the Nation who will be remembered forever #KalpanaChawla. On her birth anniversary, I salute her. pic.twitter.com/T7lEdnVY64

— Rakesh Sinha (@sinha2407) March 17, 2017

Tribute to proud daughter of the Nation #kalpanaChawla, India“s first woman in space !! pic.twitter.com/kQ4gWc05AE

— Rajshekhar Reddy (@rajshekhar211) March 17, 2017