NASA recently launched a cargo spacecraft named after Kalpana Chawla, the first India-born woman to enter space. SS Kalpana Chawla was launched from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Northrop Grumman launched its capsule to the International Space Station (ISS). The Cygnus vehicle S.S Kalpana Chawla along with Antares rocket for NG-14 mission was launched on October 2nd, at 21.16 EDT (6.46 am IST).
Northrop Grumman further affirmed that they wanted to name their next Cygnus vehicle after someone who has played an instrumental role in space exploration and then decided to name it after Kalpana Chawla on her family’s permission. This spacecraft contains agricultural supplies for the astronauts as well as spacewalking essentials.
Robyn Gatens, acting director of the International Space Station at NASA headquarters, said that the flight is carrying 6,000 pounds of cargo including refined radishes and a 3D camera, that’s going to go on the outside of the space station to take images when the crew is doing a spacewalk.
This spacecraft has an estimated travel time of 2 days and is expected to deliver a cargo of 1,217 kg of science experiments, personal items and 850 kg of crew equipment to the International Space Station.