March 15

George David Low was born in 1956 in Cleveland, Ohio, and earned both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in aerospace engineering from MIT. Selected by NASA in 1984, he served in mission control and as a flight controller before his astronaut flights. Low flew on three Space Shuttle missions: STS-32, STS-43, and STS-57, where he helped deploy and retrieve satellites and conduct scientific research. His technical expertise made him a key contributor to the development of the International Space Station. Low also served as a spacecraft communicator (CAPCOM) and worked on Shuttle processing and safety reviews. After retiring from NASA in 1997, he joined the aerospace industry, holding senior positions at Orbital Sciences Corporation. He passed away from complications of lymphoma in 2008. Low is remembered for his dedication to space exploration and engineering excellence.

Born in 1914 in Punjab, Sarla Thakral developed a passion for flying in her youth and enrolled at the Lahore Flying Club in 1935. In 1936, at the age of 21, she became the first Indian woman to earn a pilot’s license from the British Royal Aero Club. Despite societal pressures, she continued to fly and conducted aerial tours before World War II halted civilian flights. After marrying businessman P.D. Sharma, she shifted her focus to art and design, training at London’s Regent Street Polytechnic. Thakral established a successful career in interior decoration and lamp design upon returning to India. She received numerous awards honoring her pioneering spirit and contributions to women’s empowerment in aviation. Her life story remains a testament to courage and determination in the face of traditional barriers.