About Sunita Williams
Sunita Lyn Williams is an American astronaut, naval officer, and engineer known for her exceptional contributions to space exploration. She was born on September 19, 1965, in Euclid, Ohio, USA, and grew up in Needham, Massachusetts. With her father of Indian origin and her mother of Slovenian descent, she has always embraced a diverse cultural background.
Education and Early Career
Williams graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1987 with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Science. She later pursued a Master’s degree in Engineering Management from the Florida Institute of Technology in 1995. She began her career in the U.S. Navy, where she trained as a helicopter pilot and served in various missions, including support in Operation Desert Shield and Operation Provide Comfort.
NASA Career and Space Missions
In 1998, Sunita Williams was selected as an astronaut by NASA. She has completed two space missions so far:
- STS-116 (2006–2007) – Her first spaceflight aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery took her to the International Space Station (ISS), where she served as a flight engineer on Expedition 14/15.
- Expedition 32/33 (2012) – During her second mission, she spent 127 days in space and took over as the Commander of the ISS, making her the second woman to command the station.
Spacewalks and Achievements
Williams has conducted 7 spacewalks, accumulating 50 hours and 40 minutes of extravehicular activity (EVA). She once held the record for most spacewalk time by a female astronaut. She was also the first person to run a marathon in space, completing the Boston Marathon on a treadmill aboard the ISS in 2007.
Upcoming Mission
Williams is set to fly aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft for the Crew Flight Test mission in 2024, which will be a significant milestone for commercial spaceflight.
Personal Life and Interests
Sunita Williams is married to Michael J. Williams, a federal police officer. She enjoys running, swimming, biking, hiking, and flying airplanes. She has a special love for dogs and even took a toy stuffed dog named “Gorbie” to space.
Awards and Honors
Throughout her career, Williams has received several prestigious awards, including:
- NASA Spaceflight Medal
- Legion of Merit
- Distinguished Alumni Award (Florida Institute of Technology)
- Navy Commendation Medal
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Sunita Lyn Williams |
| Date of Birth | September 19, 1965 |
| Place of Birth | Euclid, Ohio, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Indian-Slovenian |
| Father | Deepak Pandya (Indian-origin) |
| Mother | Bonnie Pandya (Slovenian-origin) |
| Education | U.S. Naval Academy (B.Sc.); Florida Institute of Technology (M.Sc.) |
| Field | Aerospace Engineering, Aviation |
| Profession | Astronaut, Naval Officer, Engineer |
| Military Rank | Captain (U.S. Navy) |
| Space Agency | NASA |
| Year Selected by NASA | 1998 |
| First Spaceflight | STS-116 (December 9-22, 2006) |
| Second Spaceflight | Expedition 32/33 (July 14 – November 18, 2012) |
| Total Time in Space | Over 322 days |
| Spacewalks | 7 (Total: 50 hours, 40 minutes) |
| Achievements | – Second woman of Indian origin in space |
| – Former record-holder for longest spacewalk time by a female astronaut | |
| Current Mission | Starliner Crew Flight Test (Planned for 2024) |
| Marital Status | Married to Michael J. Williams |
| Hobbies | Running, Swimming, Cycling, Hiking, and Flying
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