MetSat-1, an Indian meteorological satellite, was renamed to Kalpana-1 on February 1, 2003, in honor of Kalpana Chawla, an Indian-American astronaut who tragically lost her life in the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster on February 1, 2003. Kalpana Chawla played a significant role in shaping the history of space exploration and served as an inspiration for aspiring astronauts around the world, especially in India.

Kalpana Chawla was born on March 17, 1962, in Karnal, a town in the state of Haryana, India. From a young age, she displayed a deep fascination with space and aviation. After completing her education in India, she pursued higher studies in the United States, obtaining a Master of Science degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington in 1984. She then went on to earn a second Master's degree in 1986 and a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering in 1988 from the University of Colorado Boulder.

In 1991, Kalpana Chawla became a naturalized U.S. citizen and joined the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). She worked at the NASA Ames Research Center, where she focused on computational fluid dynamics research, specifically on simulation techniques for predicting the aerodynamic behavior of aircraft. Her expertise in this field led to her involvement in various NASA projects.

Kalpana Chawla's dream of space exploration came true in 1997 when she was selected as a mission specialist for NASA's Space Shuttle program. On November 19, 1997, she flew on her first space mission aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia as part of the STS-87 crew. During the mission, she logged over 376 hours in space, conducting various experiments and contributing to scientific research.

Tragically, on February 1, 2003, during the re-entry phase of the Space Shuttle Columbia's 28th mission (STS-107), the shuttle disintegrated over Texas as it was returning to Earth. All seven crew members, including Kalpana Chawla, were killed in the accident. The loss of the Columbia and its crew had a profound impact on the global space community and brought attention to the risks and challenges associated with space exploration.

In recognition of Kalpana Chawla's contributions and her sacrifice, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) decided to rename MetSat-1, an Indian meteorological satellite, as Kalpana-1. This renaming took place on February 1, 2003, the same day as the tragic Space Shuttle Columbia disaster. The decision to honor Kalpana Chawla by renaming the satellite was a tribute to her remarkable achievements and her enduring legacy as an astronaut.

The renaming of MetSat-1 to Kalpana-1 symbolized India's pride in Kalpana Chawla's accomplishments and her indomitable spirit. It served as a reminder of her immense contributions to space exploration and inspired a new generation of Indian scientists and astronauts to pursue their dreams in the field of space science.