An interviewer once asked her what she felt on being selected for the astronaut programme. She said: "NASA sent a very interesting message: 'we were wondering if you still interested in coming down and working for the space program as an astronaut'. Who is going to say no? I don't think so."

The programme was tough, but many of her colleagues say that she was very determined, self-motivated and confident.

Photograph: JSC/NASA

Remembering Kalpana | Alaap for Kalpana

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