COMPLETE BIOGRAPHY OF ASTRONAUT SUNITA WILLIAMS

Sunita Williams: Complete Biography

Personal Information:

Full Name: Sunita Lyn Williams

Birth Date: September 19, 1965

Birth Place: Euclid, Ohio, USA

Nationality: American

Ethnicity: Indian-Slovenian

Father: Deepak Pandya (Indian origin)

Mother: Bonnie Pandya (Slovenian origin)

Marital Status: Married

Spouse: Michael J. Williams

Profession: Astronaut, United States Navy Officer

Education:

High School: Needham High School, Massachusetts (Graduated in 1983)

Bachelor’s Degree: Bachelor of Science in Physical Science from the United States Naval Academy (1987)

Master’s Degree: Master of Science in Engineering Management from Florida Institute of Technology (1995)

Career in the Navy:

Commissioned: May 1987 as an Ensign in the United States Navy

Naval Aviator: Became a helicopter pilot in 1989

Aircraft Flown: CH-46 Sea Knight and other naval aircraft

Missions:

Operation Desert Shield and Operation Provide Comfort in the Persian Gulf

Test Pilot School Graduate (1993)

Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 8 (HC-8)

NASA Career:

Selection: Chosen as an astronaut candidate by NASA in 1998

Training: Two years of intensive training and evaluation

First Space Mission: STS-116 (December 2006) – Arrived at the International Space Station (ISS)

Second Space Mission: Expedition 32/33 (July 2012)

Total Spacewalks: 7 (Duration: 50 hours and 40 minutes)

Spacewalk Records:

First woman to perform the most spacewalks (7)

Longest cumulative spacewalk time for a female astronaut (50 hours, 40 minutes

Total Time in Space: 322 days (second longest by a female astronaut)

Significant Achievements:

First Person: To run a marathon in space (Boston Marathon on the ISS treadmill)

Commands: Commander of Expedition 33

Contributions:

Vital contributions to space station maintenance

Research on scientific experiments conducted in microgravity

Current Status: Active Astronaut

Awards and Honors:

NASA Space Flight Medal

NASA Distinguished Service Medal

NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal

Defense Superior Service Medal

Navy Commendation Medal (twice)

Various Other Military and NASA Awards

Personal Interests:

Hobbies: Running, biking, swimming, and triathlons

Pets: Enjoys spending time with her pet dog

Inspiration: Encourages young women to pursue STEM careers

Legacy and Impact:

Sunita Williams is an inspiration for aspiring astronauts and young women worldwide. Her dedication to space exploration and her record-breaking achievements have made her one of the most celebrated astronauts in NASA’s history.