Introduction. The original name of Indian American astronaut Sunita Williams is Sunita Pandya. She is also known by Suni Williams. She is the greatest woman astronaut in the history of space shuttle mission. Her mother's name is Bonnie Pandya and father Dr. Deepak Pandya is a famous Neuroanatomist. She was bom at Euclid, Ohio in America.
Education. Sunita Williams got her elementary education from Ncedham High School, Massachusetts in 1983. She passed her graduation In B.S. (Physical Science) from U.S. Naval Academy in 1987. After that, ihe completed her M.S. (Engineering Management) from Florida Institute Of Technology in 1995. Sunita Pandya was married to Michael J. Williams.
Organizations. After completing her education, Sunita Williams Joined the Society of Experimental Test Pilot Organization and Society of Plight Test Engineers. She also served some time in American Helicopter Association. Then she was designated as Commander, USN. Selection in NASA. Taking into account the experience of Sunita Williams in Flight Engineering, she was selected in National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) in 1998. Sunita is the second woman of Indian origin to have been selected by NASA for a space mission after Kalpana Chawla. Williams' space journey began on December 9,2006 atop Space Shuttle Discovery.
Records. Sunita Williams established many records for herself in the space mission. She is the first woman space traveller completing 194 days, 18 hours and 58 minutes in the space. On June 16, she had surpassed US astronaut Shanon Lucid's 188 days and 4 hours. She completed four Bpace walks and spent 29 hours and 17 minutes in total. Inspite of being in the space she participated in the Boston Marothan race.
Mission completed. All the Indians and family members of Sunita Williams prayed for her safe return from the space. The great enthusiastic woman astronaut, Sunita Williams returned home after a 195 day record space odyssey with 'Space Shuttle Atlantis' making a smooth and safe landing at Edwards Air Force base, California at 1-19 a.m. on June 23, 2007. She is an inspiration for our young scientists and astronauts. She performed such activities in the space during her stay, which are almost impossible for many women even on land. Truly speaking she is an international icon.
