Universally celebrated NASA Astronaut
At an age where most people retire from work to enjoy their sunset years, 59-year-old celebrated NASA Astronaut, Sunita Williams, is making the world proud as the Commander of the International Space Station (ISS).
On June 5, 2024, Sunita piloted the flight test of the orbital spacecraft Starliner. However, the 8-day trip turned into months due to technical issues and as of now, Sunita is scheduled to return to Earth around March 2025.
In September 2024, she took command of the ISS for the second time in her career. By the time she returns, she will surpass many more records:
● First woman to pilot a new spacecraft on its inaugural test flight to space.
● Female astronaut with most spacewalks – 7.
● Female astronaut with most spacewalk time – totaling 50 hours and 40 minutes.
● First person to run a marathon in space.
● Expected to be among the top 12 in time-in-space duration.
● Record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, spending 195 days in space until 2017.
Sunita has now accumulated more than 322 days in space, making her one of the most experienced female astronauts in history! “I don’t feel like a hero – just another person involved in the space business. I’m hoping to encourage young folks to become explorers,” she said.
While Sunita’s achievements are globally recognised and oft repeated, not everyone is aware of her story… of a little girl’s dream journey from the small town of Euclid, Ohio all the way to the stars and beyond.
Sunita was born in the USA on September 19, 1965 as the youngest of 3 siblings. Her father, Deepak Pandya, was an Indian-American neuroanatomist from Mehsana, Gujarat (India), while her mother, Ursuline Bonnie Pandya (née Zalokar) is a Slovene-American.
Having grown up in a rich multicultural heritage, Sunita practises Hinduism, and once she even took the Slovenian flag, a samosa and Carniolan sausage to space in celebration of her Indian and Slovenian heritage.
Considering Needham, Massachusetts to be her hometown, Sunita graduated from Needham High School in 1983, received a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Science from the United States Naval Academy in 1987, and a Master of Science degree in Engineering Management from Florida Institute of Technology in 1995.
In 1987, she was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy, following which she became a Naval Aviator and trained at the U.S. Naval Test Pilot School. She was deployed on USS Saipan as the Aircraft Handler and Assistant Air Boss, when she was selected by NASA for their astronaut program. She logged more than 3,000 flight hours in over 30 aircraft types, and retired from the Navy in 2017.
In 1998, Sunita began her astronaut candidate training at the Johnson Space Center. Almost a decade later, she was launched to the ISS with STS-116, aboard Space Shuttle Discovery, on December 9, 2006, to join the Expedition 14 crew.
Her next expedition was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on July 15, 2012 as part of Expedition 32/33, wherein her Russian spacecraft Soyuz TMA-05M docked with the ISS for a four-month stay.
In August 2018, she was once again assigned to fly to the ISS on the first operational mission flight of Boeing CST-100 – Starliner. Her journey finally commenced on June 5, 2024.
Over a remarkable career spanning 4 decades, Sunita has played a crucial role in a number of space missions. Yet, in between the missions, she has used her time well to serve other professional and social commitments.
“Space expedition has changed my perspective towards people. Looking down at Earth, we could not see borders or people with different nationalities. That’s man-made, and one experiences it only when you return to Earth.”
Sunita is a member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, Society of Flight Test Engineers, and American Helicopter Association. Sharp, gritty, and resilient – she is also the recipient of prestigious global honours:
● Defense Superior Service Medal
● Legion of Merit
● Navy Commendation Medal
● Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
● NASA Spaceflight Medal
● Medal ‘For Merit in Space Exploration’, Government of Russia (2011)
● Padma Bhushan, Government of India
● Honorary Doctorate, Gujarat Technological University
● Golden Order for Merits, Government of Slovenia
● Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Vishwa Pratibha
● BBC’s 100 Women list in 2024.
Awards are but a distraction for the humble and driven Sunita. Committed to every task she undertakes, Sunita is also a devoted daughter, sister, and wife. She has been married to Michael J. Williams, a federal marshal in Texas, for more than 20 years. They both flew helicopters early in their careers, and now reside in suburban Houston, Texas. The duo enjoys hanging out with their dogs, working out, hiking, and camping.
In a recent press conference, Sunita shared her feelings of missing her two dogs, friends, and family: “I know it’s tough for them too, being apart, but they understand, and everyone’s rooting for us to return with the SpaceX Crew-9.”
Sunita’s achievements extend far beyond records and accolades. She is part of NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to send humans back to the Moon and eventually to Mars. There are innumerable books dedicated to her and her brilliant work in the cosmos. Her otherworldly journey has inspired millions of young girls to pursue careers in STEM subjects. And her adventures serve as an example of both the limitless potential of space exploration and the resiliency of the human spirit.
In her own words: “Dream big, work hard, stay humble, and surround yourself with positive people. Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. Stay dedicated and never underestimate the power of perseverance.”
