Sunita Williams needs no introduction! The Indian origin woman is a distinguished astronaut born on September 19, 1965, in Ohio, USA. Sunita was born to Dr Deepak Pandya and Bonnie Pandya.
Sunita Williams has served in various space missions, notably as a flight engineer on the International Space Station (ISS), where she conducted numerous experiments and spacewalks. Her career spans over 322 days in space, making her one of NASA's most experienced astronauts.
The veteran of two space missions, Sunita Williams stepped into the world of space in 1998. "She is currently serving as the pilot of the Crew Flight Test mission aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft – the first crewed flight for that vehicle – and her third mission aboard the International Space Station," NASA says.
Sunita Williams Education
Sunita finished her high school education in 1983 from Needham High School, Needham, Massachusetts. Needham, Massachusetts, located southwest of Boston, is known for its suburban charm and vibrant community.
10 interesting facts about Ratha YatraAfter this she obtained a graduate degree in Physical Science from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1987. In 1995, she obtained a Master of Science in Engineering Management, from the Florida Institute of Technology.
Her first journey to space was on December 9, 2006. Expedition 14/15, which happened from December 9, 2006 to June 22, 2007, Sunita Williams served as Flight Engineer. "While onboard, she established a world record for females with four spacewalks totaling 29 hours and 17 minutes," NASA says.
Her second space mission began on July 14, 2012 and Expedition 32/33 lasted till November 18, 2012. "Williams spent four months conducting research and exploration aboard the orbiting laboratory. She landed in Kazakhstan on November 18, 2012, after spending 127 days in space. During their Expedition, Williams and Hoshide performed three spacewalks to replace a component that relays power from the space station’s solar arrays to its systems, and repair an ammonia leak on a station radiator. With 50 hours and 40 minutes, Williams once again held the record for total cumulative spacewalk time by a female astronaut (has since been overtaken by Peggy Whitson with 10 spacewalks)," as per NASA.
On June 5, 2024 Sunita Williams went onboard on the Boeing Starliner. The mission was initially for one week but has now been extended as the Starliner experienced helium leaks, and because of this it remains docked at the International Space Station.
(Image: AFP)
She has received several awards recognizing her talent among which are Padma Bhushan, Honorary Doctorate from Gujarat Technological University, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Vishwa Pratibha Award.
Sunita is married to Michael J Williams, a federal marshal in Texas.
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