Unit 1 Lesson 3: Two Women
Valentina Tereshkova and Kalpana Chawla
A. Read the following text on two women of extraordinary achievements and answer the questions that follow:
Lesson 1 -Unforgettable History
Valentina Tereshkova
Valentina Tereshkova was born in a village in Central Russia on 6 March 1937. Her father was a tractor driver and her mother worked in a textile plant. At the age of eight, she began her schooling but did not enjoy it much. She left the school within a few years. Afterwards, she completed her education through distance learning. She became interested in parachuting from a young age and trained in skydiving at the local Aeroclub, making her first jump at age 22 on 21 May 1959. It was her expertise in skydiving that led to her selection as a cosmonaut.
After the flight of Yuri Gagarin, the first human being to travel to outer space in April 1961, the Soviet Union decided to send a woman into space. On 16 February 1962, “proletaria” Valentina Tereshkova was selected for this project from among more than four hundred applicants. Tereshkova had to undergo a series of training that included weightless flights, isolation tests, centrifuge tests, rocket theory, spacecraft engineering, 120 parachute jumps, and pilot training in MiG-15UTI jet fighters.
Since the successful launch of the spacecraft Vostok-5 on 14 June 1963, Tereshkova began preparing for her own flight. On the morning of 16 June 1963, Tereshkova and her backup cosmonaut Solovyova were dressed in space suits and taken to the space shuttle launch pad by a bus. After completing her communication and life support checks, she was sealed inside Vostok 6. Finishing a two-hour countdown, Vostok-6 launched faultlessly.
Although Tereshkova experienced nausea and physical discomfort for much of the flight, she orbited the earth 48 times and spent almost three days in space. With a single flight, she logged more flight time than the combined times of all American astronauts who had flown before that date. Tereshkova also maintained a flight log and took photographs of the horizon, which were later used to identify aerosol layers within the atmosphere.
Vostok-6 was the final Vostok flight and was launched two days after Vostok-5, which carried Valery Bykovsky into a similar orbit for five days, landing three hours after Tereshkova. The two vessels approached each other within 5 kilometers at one point, and from space, Tereshkova communicated with Bykovsky and the Soviet leader Khrushchev by radio.
Much later, in 1977 Tereshkova earned a doctorate in Engineering from Zhukovsky Air Force Academy. Afterwards, she turned to politics. During the Soviet regime, she became one of the presidium members of the Supreme Soviet. Now this living legend is a member of the lower house of the Russian legislature. On her 70th birthday when she was invited by the Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, she expressed her desire to fly to Mars, even if for a one-way trip.
Kalpana Chawla (17 March 1962 – 1 February 2003)
Kalpana Chawla was born in Karnal, India. She completed her earlier schooling at a local school. She is the first Indian-born woman and the second person in space from this sub-continent. After graduating in Aeronautical Engineering from Punjab Engineering College, Chawla moved to the United States in 1982. She obtained her Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas. Later she did her Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Colorado.
Determined to become an astronaut even in the face of the space shuttle Challenger disaster on 28 January 1986 that led to the deaths of its seven crew members, Chawla joined NASA in 1988. She began working as a Vice President where she did Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) research on vertical take-off and landing.
In 1991 she got U.S. citizenship and started her career as a NASA astronaut in 1995. She was selected for her first flight in 1996. She spoke the following words while traveling in the weightlessness of space, “You are just your intelligence.” She had traveled 10.67 million miles, as many as 252 times around the Earth.
Her first space mission (Mission STS 87) began on 19 November 1997 with six other astronauts on the Space Shuttle Columbia. On her first mission that lasted for 15 days, 16 hours, 34 minutes and 4 seconds, she traveled 6.5 million miles. She was responsible for deploying the Spartan Satellite which, however, malfunctioned, necessitating a spacewalk by Winston Scott and Tako Doi, two of her fellow astronauts, to retrieve the satellite.
In 2000 she was selected for her second space mission STS 107. This mission was repeatedly delayed due to scheduling conflicts and technical problems. On 16 January 2003, Kalpana Chawla finally started her new mission with six other space crew on the ill-fated space shuttle Columbia. She was one of the mission specialists. Chawla’s responsibilities included the microgravity experiments, for which the crew conducted nearly 80 experiments studying earth and space science, advanced technology development, and astronaut health and safety.
After a 16-day scientific mission in space, on 1 February 2003, Columbia disintegrated over Texas during its re-entry into the Earth’s atmosphere. All the crew in Columbia including Chawla died only 16 minutes prior to their scheduled landing. Investigation shows that this fatal accident happened due to damage in one of Columbia’s wings caused by a piece of insulating foam from the external fuel tank peeling off during the launch. During the intense heat of re-entry, hot gases penetrated the interior of the wing, destroying the support structure and causing the rest of the shuttle to break down.
B. What do the following words mean? You can use any number of words to convey the meanings.
- Isolation: Being separated from others.
- Spacesuit: A protective suit worn by astronauts in space.
- Adopt: To take up or start to use.
- Centrifuge: A machine that rotates to apply centrifugal force to its contents.
- Nausea: The feeling of wanting to vomit.
- Weightlessness: The condition of experiencing no apparent gravitational pull.
- Spacecraft: A vehicle designed for travel or operation in outer space.
- Aerosol: A suspension of fine solid particles or liquid droplets in air or another gas.
- Malfunction: A failure to function in a normal or satisfactory manner.
- Launch: To set a spacecraft, missile, or satellite in motion.
- Regime: A government, especially an authoritarian one.
- Ill-fated: Doomed to fail or have bad luck.
- Cosmonaut: A Russian astronaut.
- Legislature: A governmental body responsible for making laws.
- Disintegrate: To break into parts or components.
C. Read the texts and complete the sentences.
- Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman to travel to outer space.
- Kalpana Chawla was the first Indian-born woman and the second person from the Indian subcontinent to travel to space.
E. The sentences below are true about either Tereshkova or Chawla. Find out which applies to whom.
- She is an engineer. (Chawla
- )
- She is one of the victims of a spacecraft disaster. (Chawla)
- She came from an ordinary family. (Tereshkova)
- She earned a Ph.D. degree. (Chawla)
- She was selected from among 400 competitors. (Tereshkova)
- She was involved in politics. (Tereshkova)
- She made history. (Chawla)
G. Complete the questions about the two astronauts. Then ask and answer them with your partner.
About Valentina Tereshkova
- Where was she born?
- When was she selected as a cosmonaut?
- When did she make her first space flight?
- How did she feel in the spacecraft?
- Who did she talk to from space?
- What does she want to do now?
About Valentina Tereshkova
Where was she born? She was born in a village in Central Russia.
When was she selected as a cosmonaut? She was selected as a cosmonaut on February 16, 1962.
When did she make her first space flight? She made her first space flight on June 16, 1963.
How did she feel in the spacecraft? She experienced nausea and physical discomfort during the flight.
Who did she talk to from space? She communicated with fellow cosmonaut Valery Bykovsky and Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev by radio.
What does she want to do now? She expressed a desire to fly to Mars, even if it were a one-way trip.
About Kalpana Chawla
- Where was she born?
- When did she make her first flight?
- Why did she move to the USA?
- Why did she join NASA?
- What did she say in 1996 about the weightlessness of space?
- How did she die?
About Kalpana Chawla
Where was she born? She was born in Karnal, India.
When did she make her first flight? She made her first space flight on November 19, 1997.
Why did she move to the USA? She moved to the USA for higher education in aerospace engineering.
Why did she join NASA? She joined NASA to fulfill her dream of becoming an astronaut.
What did she say in 1996 about the weightlessness of space? She said, “You are just your intelligence,” while experiencing the weightlessness of space.
How did she die? She died in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster on February 1, 2003, when the shuttle disintegrated during re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.
H. Now find out the similarities and dissimilarities between Tereshkova and Chawla.
Areas of similarities
- They both are engineers.
- Both made significant contributions to space exploration.
- Both came from ordinary families.
Areas of dissimilarities
- Tereshkova was born in Russia while Chawla was born in India.
- Tereshkova entered politics while Chawla focused on science and space exploration.
- Tereshkova completed her space mission successfully, while Chawla died in a space shuttle disaster.
I. Now write a paragraph in 150 words about Tereshkova and Chawla based on the information provided in the text.
Valentina Tereshkova, born on 6 March 1937 in Russia, was the first woman to travel to outer space. Despite an unremarkable early education, she pursued skydiving and was eventually selected as a cosmonaut due to her expertise. She made history by orbiting the Earth 48 times in Vostok 6 in 1963, logging more flight time than all previous American astronauts combined.
She later earned a doctorate in Engineering and entered politics. In contrast, Kalpana Chawla, born on 17 March 1962 in India, was the first Indian-born woman in space. She moved to the U.S. for her higher education and joined NASA, determined to become an astronaut. Her first mission was in 1997 on the Space Shuttle Columbia. Tragically, during her second mission in 2003, Columbia disintegrated upon re-entry, resulting in her death. Both women are celebrated for their extraordinary contributions to space exploration.
J. Pairwork: Make a poster on a famous lady in your country. Narrate why she is famous.
Poster: Begum Rokeya
Title: Begum Rokeya: A Pioneer for Women’s Education and Rights in Bangladesh
Image: 
Content:
Early Life: Begum Rokeya was born on December 9, 1880, in the village of Pairabondh, Rangpur, in what is now Bangladesh. She was born into a conservative Muslim family where women’s education was not encouraged.
Achievements:
- Advocate for Women’s Education: Despite societal norms, Begum Rokeya was determined to promote women’s education. She established the first school for Muslim girls, the Sakhawat Memorial Girls’ School, in Kolkata in 1911.
- Writer and Social Reformer: She wrote several books and articles advocating for women’s rights and education. Her notable works include “Sultana’s Dream,” a science fiction story depicting a feminist utopia, and “Padmarag,” a novel highlighting women’s issues.
- Promoter of Gender Equality: Begum Rokeya founded the Anjuman-e-Khawatin-e-Islam (Islamic Women’s Association) to encourage women’s education and empowerment.
- Legacy: Her contributions have left a lasting impact on the fight for women’s rights and education in Bangladesh. Every year, Bangladesh celebrates Rokeya Day on December 9 to honor her legacy.
Quote: “Knowledge is power. The more knowledge women acquire, the more empowered they become.”
Why She is Famous: Begum Rokeya is celebrated for her tireless efforts in advancing women’s education and rights in Bangladesh. She challenged societal norms and laid the foundation for future generations of women to pursue education and equality.
Conclusion: Begum Rokeya’s work has had a profound impact on women’s rights and education in Bangladesh. Her legacy continues to inspire and empower women across the nation.
References:
- Biography of Begum Rokeya
- Works by Begum Rokeya
- Contributions to women’s education and rights in Bangladesh
Narration:
“Begum Rokeya was a trailblazer in the field of women’s education and rights in Bangladesh. Born in a conservative society, she defied norms to promote women’s education. She established the first school for Muslim girls and wrote extensively on women’s issues. Her legacy lives on through the continued fight for gender equality and education in Bangladesh. Begum Rokeya remains a symbol of empowerment and inspiration for women across the country.”
This poster highlights Begum Rokeya’s life, achievements, and her lasting impact on society. You can add visual elements like her photograph, images of her books, and relevant graphics to make the poster more appealing.
Another Demo Answer
Poster: Sheikh Hasina
Title: Sheikh Hasina: The Architect of Modern Bangladesh
Image: 
Content:
Early Life: Sheikh Hasina was born on September 28, 1947, in Tungipara, Gopalganj, in what was then East Pakistan. She is the daughter of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding leader of Bangladesh.
Achievements:
- Political Leadership: Sheikh Hasina has served as the Prime Minister of Bangladesh multiple times. She is the longest-serving Prime Minister in the history of Bangladesh.
- Economic Growth: Under her leadership, Bangladesh has experienced significant economic growth, achieving higher GDP growth rates and becoming one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.
- Social Development: She has implemented numerous social development programs focusing on education, healthcare, and women’s empowerment, improving the quality of life for millions of Bangladeshis.
- Infrastructure Development: Her government has overseen the construction of key infrastructure projects, including the Padma Bridge, which is expected to boost the country’s connectivity and economy.
- Human Rights and Democracy: Sheikh Hasina has been a strong advocate for human rights and democracy, working to ensure political stability and social justice in Bangladesh.
Quote: “Our goal is to build a hunger-free, poverty-free Bangladesh, ensuring a better life for our people.”
Why She is Famous: Sheikh Hasina is renowned for her visionary leadership and dedication to the development of Bangladesh. Her policies and initiatives have transformed the nation, making her a prominent and influential figure in the country’s history.
Conclusion: Sheikh Hasina’s contributions have led to remarkable progress in Bangladesh, earning her recognition as a key architect of the nation’s modern development. Her leadership continues to inspire and guide the people of Bangladesh towards a brighter future.
References:
- Biography of Sheikh Hasina
- Economic and social policies under her leadership
- Major infrastructure projects in Bangladesh
Narration:
“Sheikh Hasina, the daughter of Bangladesh’s founding leader, has played a pivotal role in the nation’s development. As the longest-serving Prime Minister, she has driven significant economic growth and social progress. Her government has implemented key infrastructure projects and social programs, improving the lives of millions. Sheikh Hasina’s visionary leadership has positioned Bangladesh as a rapidly developing nation, making her a central figure in the country’s history.”
This poster highlights Sheikh Hasina’s life, achievements, and her lasting impact on Bangladesh. You can add visual elements like her photograph, images of infrastructure projects, and relevant graphics to make the poster more appealing.
Summary of Valentina Tereshkova
Early Life: Valentina Tereshkova was born on March 6, 1937, in a village in Central Russia. Her father was a tractor driver, and her mother worked in a textile plant. She began her schooling at age eight but left school within a few years, completing her education later through distance learning. Tereshkova developed an interest in parachuting at a young age, joining a local Aeroclub where she made her first jump at age 22.
Becoming a Cosmonaut: Tereshkova’s expertise in skydiving led to her selection as a cosmonaut. Following Yuri Gagarin’s historic space flight in April 1961, the Soviet Union aimed to send a woman into space. Tereshkova was selected from over 400 applicants on February 16, 1962. Her rigorous training included weightless flights, isolation tests, centrifuge tests, rocket theory, spacecraft engineering, parachute jumps, and pilot training.
Historic Space Flight: On June 16, 1963, Tereshkova became the first woman to fly into space aboard Vostok 6. Despite experiencing nausea and physical discomfort, she orbited the Earth 48 times and spent nearly three days in space, logging more flight time than all previous American astronauts combined. During her flight, she maintained a log and took photographs of the horizon, contributing to scientific research.
Later Life: After her space mission, Tereshkova earned a doctorate in Engineering in 1977 and transitioned into politics, becoming a member of the Supreme Soviet and later, the lower house of the Russian legislature. She expressed a desire to fly to Mars, even if it were a one-way trip.
Legacy: Valentina Tereshkova remains a legendary figure in space exploration, celebrated for her pioneering achievements and contributions to science and politics
Summary of Kalpana Chawla
Early Life: Kalpana Chawla was born on March 17, 1962, in Karnal, India. She completed her early schooling locally and was determined to pursue a career in aerospace engineering. She graduated in Aeronautical Engineering from Punjab Engineering College and then moved to the United States in 1982 to further her education.
Education and Career: Chawla earned her Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas and later completed her Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Colorado. Despite the Challenger disaster in 1986, she was determined to become an astronaut and joined NASA in 1988. Chawla became a U.S. citizen in 1991 and started her career as a NASA astronaut in 1995.
First Space Mission: Kalpana Chawla’s first space mission, STS-87, began on November 19, 1997, aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia. During this 15-day mission, she traveled 6.5 million miles and orbited the Earth 252 times. She was responsible for deploying the Spartan Satellite, which malfunctioned, requiring a spacewalk to retrieve it.
Second Space Mission and Tragic End: In 2000, Chawla was selected for her second space mission, STS-107, which faced multiple delays. The mission finally launched on January 16, 2003. During this 16-day mission, the crew conducted nearly 80 experiments related to earth and space science, advanced technology development, and astronaut health and safety. Tragically, on February 1, 2003, the Space Shuttle Columbia disintegrated during re-entry, killing all seven crew members, including Chawla. The accident was caused by damage to one of Columbia’s wings during launch.
Legacy: Kalpana Chawla is remembered as a trailblazer and a symbol of perseverance and dedication in the field of space exploration. Her contributions to science and her inspiring journey from Karnal to space continue to motivate aspiring astronauts and engineers worldwide.
Short Summary of the passage Tow Women
Valentina Tereshkova: Valentina Tereshkova, born on March 6, 1937, in Russia, was the first woman to fly into space. She orbited Earth 48 times aboard Vostok 6 in 1963. A skilled skydiver, she was selected as a cosmonaut for her expertise. Later, she earned a doctorate in Engineering and became a prominent political figure in Russia.
Kalpana Chawla: Kalpana Chawla, born on March 17, 1962, in India, was the first Indian-born woman in space. She joined NASA and flew on the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997. Tragically, she died in the 2003 Columbia disaster during re-entry. Her achievements and dedication continue to inspire future generations in aerospace engineering.