Kalpana Chawla was the first Indian –born NASA astronaut. She was the first Indian-American astronaut and first Indian woman in space. She first flew on Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997 as a mission specialist and the main person working the shuttle's robotic arms. Growing up in a male dominant society, Kalpana never let her dreams of flying be affected in any way. In fact she was the first woman to study aeronautical engineering in her batch. She has been a role model to several women in terms of achievement and contributions to the field of aeronautics.