Earth and Space News: Lunar Chawla Crater Honors Columbia Mission Specialist Kalpana Chawla

Summary: Lunar Chawla Crater honors Space Shuttle Columbia Mission Specialist Kalpana Chawla, who perished with his six colleagues on the spaceplane in 2003.

On Friday, Jan. 17, 2003, during her second spaceflight, Kalpana Chawla, mission specialist 2 of Space Shuttle Columbia's 28th mission, STS-107 (Thursday, Jan. 16, to Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003), is stationed on the shuttle orbiter's flight deck; NASA ID S107E05001: Not subject to copyright, via NASA Image and Video Library

The lunar southern hemisphere's far side Chawla Crater honors Space Shuttle Columbia Mission Specialist 2 Kalpana Chawla (March 17, 1962-Feb. 1, 2003), who perished during her second spaceflight, along with her six colleagues, as the shuttle orbiter re-entered Earth's atmosphere Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003.

Apollo Crater accommodates within its southeastern interior seven craters named for the 58th mission's seven astronauts. Also known as Apollo Basin, the considerable impact crater represents a basin-within-a-basin with its residence in the immense South Pole-Aitken (SPA) Basin. Apollo Crater lies in the SPA Basin's northeastern quadrant, according to Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center's mineralogy and petrology specialist, Canadian-American geologist Donald Allen Morrison (July 19, 1936-Jan. 16, 2021), and then Lunar and Planetary Institute postdoctoral researcher, American physicist and planetary geologist D. Benjamin J. Bussey, in their paper, "The Apollo and Korolev basins and the stratigraphy of the lunar crust," presented at the 28th Lunar and Planetary Sciences Conference (LPSC 1997), held in Houston, Texas, March 17-21, 1997.

Apollo Crater is centered at minus 35.69 degrees south latitude, minus 151.48 degrees west longitude, according to the International Astronomical Union’s (IAU) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. Its northernmost and southernmost latitudes touch minus 28.12 degrees south and minus 44.19 degrees south, respectively. The worn geologic structure's easternmost and westernmost longitudes span minus 140.58 degrees west to minus 162.07 degrees west, respectively. Apollo Crater's diameter spans 524.23 kilometers.

Chawla Crater is centered at minus 42.48 degrees south latitude, minus 147.49 degrees west longitude. It distinguishes its northernmost and southernmost latitudes at minus 42.24 degrees south and minus 42.71 degrees south, respectively. It officializes its easternmost and westernmost longitudes at minus 147.17 degrees west and minus 147.80 degrees west, respectively.

Chawla Crater has a diameter of 14.25 kilometers. Its littleness qualifies Chawla Crater as the smallest of the lunar far side's Columbia Craters.

Chawla Crater is positioned almost midway between D. Brown and L. Clark craters. Chawla Crater neighbors to the south of D. Brown Crater and to the north of L. Clark Crater. L. Clark Crater's location qualifies as the southernmost among the lunar far side's Columbia craters.

D. Brown Crater honors David McDowell Brown (April 16, 1956-Feb. 1, 2003). The United States Navy captain and NASA astronaut served as Mission Specialist 1 on Space Shuttle Columbia's 28th and final mission, which also qualified as Brown's first and last spaceflight.

D. Brown Crater is centered at minus 41.65 degrees south latitude, minus 147.16 degrees west longitude. Its northernmost and southernmost latitudes exist at minus 41.38 degrees south and minus 41.91 degrees south, respectively. It realizes its easternmost and westernmost longitudes at minus 146.80 degrees west and minus 147.52 degrees west, respectively. D. Brown Crater has a diameter of 16.12 kilometers.

L. Clark Crater honors Laurel Blair Salton Clark (March 10, 1961-Feb. 1, 2003). For her first and only spaceflight, the American Naval Flight Surgeon and NASA astronaut served as Mission Specialist 4 on Space Shuttle Columbia's fatal 28th mission.

L. Clark Crater is centered at minus 43.34 degrees south latitude, minus 147.70 degrees west longitude. It reveals northernmost and southernmost latitudes of minus 43.08 degrees south and minus 43.59 degrees south, respectively. It reaches its easternmost and westernmost longitudes at minus 147.35 degrees west and minus 148.04 degrees west, respectively. L. Clark Crater has a diameter of 15.30 kilometers.

Craters named for Space Shuttle Columbia's seven fallen astronaut occur in the southeastern interior of Apollo Crater, also known as Apollo Basin, an enormous impact crater in the southern hemisphere on the lunar far side; Moon 1:10 million-scale Shaded Relief and Color-coded Topography: via Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature

McCool Crater lies to the northeast of Chawla Crater. McCool Crater's position qualifies as the easternmost among the lunar far side's Columbia craters.

McCool Crater honors American naval officer and aviator, test pilot, aeronautical engineer and NASA astronaut William Cameron McCool (born William Cameron Graham; Sep. 23, 1961-Feb. 1, 2003). McCool's position as the STS-107 mission's Pilot marked his first and only spaceflight.

McCool Crater is centered at minus 41.28 degrees south latitude, minus 146.26 degrees west longitude. Its northernmost and southernmost latitudes terminate at minus 40.94 degrees south and minus 41.62 degrees south latitude, respectively. Its easternmost and westernmost longitudes end at minus 145.81 degrees west and minus 146.71 degrees west, respectively. McCool Crater has a diameter of 20.47 kilometers.

M. Anderson and Ramon craters are sited to the northwest of Chawla Crater. M. Anderson Crater's position to the west of Ramon Crater qualifies as the westernmost among the lunar far side's Columbia craters.

M. Anderson Crater honors Michael Phillip Anderson (Dec. 25, 1959-Feb. 1, 2003). The United States Air Force officer and NASA astronaut served as Payload Commander and Mission Specialist 3 for his second spaceflight.

M. Anderson Crater is centered at minus 41.21 degrees south latitude, minus 148.99 degrees west longitude. It marks its northernmost and southernmost latitudes at minus 40.93 degrees south and minus 41.49 degrees south, respectively. It posts its easternmost and westernmost longitudes at minus 148.62 degrees west and minus 149.36 degrees west, respectively. M. Anderson Crater has a diameter of 16.94 kilometers.

Ramon Crater honors Ilan Ramon (born Ilan Wolferman; June 20, 1954-Feb 1, 2003). The Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighter pilot and first Israeli astronaut served as Space Shuttle Columbia's Payload Specialist for his first and only spaceflight.

Ramon Crater is centered at minus 41.23 degrees south latitude, minus 148.08 degrees west longitude. Ramon Crater obtains its northernmost and southernmost latitudes at minus 40.97 degrees south and minus 41.49 degrees south, respectively. Its easternmost and westernmost longitudes occur at minus 147.71 degrees west and minus 148.45 degrees west, respectively. Ramon Crater has a diameter of 17.23 kilometers.

Husband Crater is placed distantly to the northwest of Chawla Crater. It resides north of Ramon Crater and northeast of M. Anderson Crater. Husband Crater's position qualifies as the northernmost among the lunar far side's Columbia craters.

Husband Crater honors Richard "Rick" Douglas Husband (July 12, 1957-Feb. 1, 2003). For his second spaceflight, the American fighter pilot and NASA astronaut served as commander of Space Shuttle Columbia's last, tragic flight, Thursday, Jan. 16, to Saturday, Feb. 1, 2003.

Commander Rick Husband's lunar crater is centered at minus 40.32 degrees south latitude, minus 147.84 degrees west longitude. It experiences northernmost and southernmost latitudes of minus 39.85 degrees south and minus 40.78 degrees south, respectively. The crater encounters its easternmost and westernmost longitudes at minus 147.17 degrees west and minus 148.51 degrees west, respectively. Husband Crater's diameter measures 31.26 kilometers.

Chawla Crater's name received official approval in 2006, during the International Astronomical Union’s XXVIth (26th) General Assembly, held Monday, Aug. 14, to Friday, Aug. 25, in Prague, Czech Republic. Batch approval of all seven Columbia-themed lunar craters was granted during the XXVIth General Assembly.

Detail of Lunar Aeronautical Chart (LAC) 121 shows the seven southern hemisphere craters honoring Mission Specialist 2 Kalpana Chawla and her six Space Shuttle Columbia colleagues in the lunar far side's Apollo Basin: image credit NASA/GSFC/ASU, via USGS Astrogeology Science Center / Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

Arizona State University Apollo Image Archive. "Featured Image -- 07/14/2009 Aitken Crater." ASU (Arizona State University) SER (Space Exploration Resources) Apollo Image Archive > Featured Image List.
Available @ http://apollo.sese.asu.edu/LIW/20090714.html

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “Apollo.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010, 12:00 p.m.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/326

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “Borman.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010, 12:00 p.m.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/827

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “Chawla.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010, 12:00 p.m.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/14139

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “D. Brown.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010, 12:00 p.m.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/14138

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “Husband.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010, 12:00 p.m.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/14140

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “L. Clark.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010, 12:00 p.m.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/14143

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “M. Anderson.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon. Last updated Feb. 1, 2011, 2:19 p.m.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/14137

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “McCool.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010, 12:00 p.m.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/14141

International Astronomical Union (IAU) / U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature. “Ramon.” USGS Astrogeology Science Center > Gazetteer of Planetary Nomenclature > Nomenclature > The Moon. Last updated Oct. 18, 2010, 12:00 p.m.
Available @ https://planetarynames.wr.usgs.gov/Feature/14142

Marriner, Derdriu. "Ilan Ramon Had Moon Landscape Drawing by Petr Ginz on Columbia Shuttle." Earth and Space News. Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2024/01/ilan-ramon-had-moon-landscape-drawing.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Lunar D. Brown Crater Honors Columbia Mission Specialist David Brown." Earth and Space News. Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2024.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2024/02/lunar-d-brown-crater-honors-columbia.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Lunar Far Side Husband Crater Honors Columbia Commander Rick Husband." Earth and Space News. Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2024.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2024/01/lunar-far-side-husband-crater-honors.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Lunar Far Side McCool Crater Honors Columbia Pilot William McCool." Earth and Space News. Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2024/01/lunar-far-side-mccool-crater-honors.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "Lunar Far Side Ramon Crater Honors First Israeli Astronaut Ilan Ramon." Earth and Space News. Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2024.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2024/01/lunar-far-side-ramon-crater-honors.html

Marriner, Derdriu. "M. Anderson Crater Honors Columbia Payload Commander Michael Anderson." Earth and Space News. Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2024.
Available @ https://earth-and-space-news.blogspot.com/2024/02/m-anderson-crater-honors-columbia.html

The Moon Wiki. “Apollo.” The Moon > Lunar Features Alphabetically > A Nomenclature.
Available @ https://the-moon.us/wiki/Apollo

The Moon Wiki. “Borman.” The Moon > Lunar Features Alphabetically > B Nomenclature.
Available @ https://the-moon.us/wiki/Borman

The Moon Wiki. “Chawla.” The Moon > Lunar Features Alphabetically > C Nomenclature.
Available @ http://the-moon.us/wiki/Chawla

The Moon Wiki. “D. Brown.” The Moon > Lunar Features Alphabetically > D Nomenclature.
Available @ http://the-moon.us/wiki/D._Brown

The Moon Wiki. “Husband.” The Moon > Lunar Features Alphabetically > H Nomenclature.
Available @ http://the-moon.us/wiki/Husband

The Moon Wiki. “L. Clark.” The Moon > Lunar Features Alphabetically > L Nomenclature.
Available @ http://the-moon.us/wiki/L._Clark

The Moon Wiki. “M. Anderson.” The Moon > Lunar Features Alphabetically > M Nomenclature.
Available @ http://the-moon.us/wiki/M._Anderson

The Moon Wiki. “McCool.” The Moon > Lunar Features Alphabetically > M Nomenclature.
Available @ http://the-moon.us/wiki/McCool

The Moon Wiki. “Ramon.” The Moon > Lunar Features Alphabetically > R Nomenclature.
Available @ http://the-moon.us/wiki/Ramon

Morrison, Donald A. (Allen); and D. Ben J. Bussey. "The Apollo and Korolev basins and the stratigraphy of the lunar crust." Pages 987-988. Lunar and Planetary Science XXVIII: Abstracts of Papers Submitted to the Twenty-eighth Lunar and Planetary Science Conference, March 17-21, 1997, Part 2 P-Z (1057-1638). Houston TX: Lunar and Planetary Institute, 1997.
Available via Harvard ADSABS (NASA Astrophysics Data System Abstracts) @ https://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1997LPI....28..987M
Available via Harvard ADSABS (NASA Astrophysics Data System Abstracts) @ https://adsabs.harvard.edu/pdf/1997LPI....28..987M

NASA's Glenn Research Center. "Jean-Pierre Harrison, husband of Columbia astronaut Kalpana Chawla, shared personal photos & memories of her during our day of remembrance event #NASARemembers #NASAglenn." Jan. 31, 2017.
Available via Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/NASAGlenn/posts/jean-pierre-harrison-husband-of-columbia-astronaut-kalpana-chawla-shared-persona/10154806513775943/

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. "David Brown, Mission Specialist." National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Biographies.html
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Profiles/Brown.htm
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Biographies/Brown%20Astronaut%20Bio%20Data.htm

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. "Ilan Ramon, Payload Specialist." National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
Available via NASA @ https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/ramon.pdf
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Biographies.html
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Profiles/Ramon.htm
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Biographies/PAYLOA%7E1.HTM

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. "Kalpana Chawla, Mission Specialist." National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Biographies.html
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Profiles/Chawla.htm
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Biographies/ASTRON%7E1.HTM

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. "Laurel Blair Salton Clark, Mission Specialist." National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Biographies.html
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Profiles/Clark.htm
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Biographies/Clark%20Astronaut%20Bio%20Data.htm

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. "Michael P. Anderson, Payload Commander." National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Biographies.html
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Profiles/Anderson.htm
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Biographies/anderson_biodata.htm

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. "Rick D. Husband, Commander." National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Biographies.html
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Profiles/Husband.htm
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Biographies/ASTRON%7E2.HTM

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. "William C. McCool, Pilot." National Aeronautics and Space Administration Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center.
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Biographies.html
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Profiles/McCool.htm
Available via NASA History @ https://history.nasa.gov/columbia/Troxell/Columbia%20Web%20Site/Biographies/Crew%20Profile%20Information/Crew%20Biographies/McCool%20Astronaut%20Bio%20Data.htm

Robinson, Mark. "Challenger Astronauts Memorialized on the Moon." ASU (Arizona State University) SESE (School of Earth and Space Exploration) LROC (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera) > Posts. Jan. 28, 2011.
Available via ASU SESE LROC @ http://lroc.sese.asu.edu/posts/281

van der Hucht, Karel, ed. XXVIth General Assembly Transactions of the IAU Vol. XXVI B Proceedings of the 26th General Assembly Prague, Czech Republic, August 14-25, 2006. Cambridge UK: Cambridge University Press, Dec. 30, 2008. Available @ https://www.iau.org/publications/iau/transactions_b/

Earth and Space News

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

Lunar Chawla Crater Honors Columbia Mission Specialist Kalpana Chawla

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