Kalpana Chawla memorial planetarium in Haryana to be upgraded

'Kalpana Chawla memorial planetarium', which has been set up in the memory of late Indian-origin astronaut, will be upgraded with the latest technology, Haryana Science and Technology department has said.
It has also been decided to provide online ticket booking facility for planetarium shows and cafeteria for the convenience of visitors, Principal Secretary, Science and Technology, Sumita Misra said here today.
With new explorations in the field of science and technology, it has become necessary to keep the planetarium infrastructure up to date so as to provide the masses with the latest information.
The process for renovation of the exhibition gallery has also been initiated, she added.

Misra said that Kalpana Chawla Memorial Planetarium was set up at Kurukshetra at a total cost of Rs 6.50 crore, shared by both Haryana government and Centre on 50:50 basis, in the memory of the late astronaut, who hailed from Karnal in Haryana.
Set up in July 2007, the planetarium is acting as an educational aid in the field of astronomy for the general masses and students in particular, she said.

"Every year, on an average, 1.15 lakh people visit the planetarium, including students and tourists from other states," she pointed out.
She said that an 'Exhibition Gallery' has also been set up which consists of interactive exhibits based on astronomy.

"A special part of the gallery has been dedicated to Kalpana Chawla which details her life right from her childhood to her NASA missions," she added.