What was Sunita Williams doing before joining NASA? Education, family, awards

What was Sunita Williams doing before joining NASA? Education, family, awards 

Sunita Williams return to earth is seen as a remarkable event after her nine months stay in the International Space Station. Due to technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, her eight-day expedition last June turned into nine months stay in space. However, Sunita Williams achieved a remarkable feat managing to stay in space for such long which showed her resilience and adaptability in spending time in space. Staying this long in space, Sunita Williams broke her own record of total spacewalking time. She clocked in 62 hours and 6 minutes this time while her last record was of 50 hours and 40 minutes.  

Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore had contributed a lot while staying in space. They tended to the Vegetable Production System ("Veggie") on the ISS, which cultivates fresh produce, run scientific tests, did spacewalks and more. However, these feats of Sunita Williams are a big part of her entire career which also has a lot more than just space.  

Who is Sunita Williams? 

Sunita Williams was born on September 19, 1965, in Euclid, Ohio, U.S. She was born Sunita Lyn Williams and grew up in Needham, Massachusetts. Her family is multicultured as her father Deepak Pandya is an Indian who immigrated to the United States from India. He was a neuroanesthesiologist and encouraged her to pursue a career in science and engineering. Her mother Bonnie Pandya has Slavik roots.  

Williams completed her schooling from Needham High School after which she pursued a BSc in Physical Science from the United States Naval Academy in 1987. She then earned a Master’s degree in Engineering Management from the Florida Institute of Technology, which opened gates for her in two of the most prestigious careers in aviation and space exploration. 

Sunita Williams is married to Michael J. Williams who is a federal marshal. 

What was Sunita Williams doing before joining NASA? 

Sunita was not always a space explorer. Before joining NASA as an astronaut, she had a fulfilling career in US Navy. She worked as an Ensign in the United States Navy in May 1987. In many navies, including the United States Navy, an ensign is the lowest commissioned officer rank, equivalent to a second lieutenant in the army or air force. After this she completed her flight training in 1989 and became a Naval Aviator.  

Her first assignment was that of a Helicopter Combat Support Squadron 8 in Norfolk, Virginia. While being a US Navy pilot, Sunita Williams completed two missions while being a helicopter pilot. The Operation Desert Shield and Operation Provide Comfort were made during the Persian Gulf War. Even in her Navy days she made record of completing more than 3,000 flight hours in over 30 different aircraft. 

Sunita Williams’s transition to astronaut 

She progressed through the naval ranks, achieving the rank of Captain, before making a career shift to become a NASA astronaut. In 1998, Williams applied to NASA's Astronaut Candidate Program and was selected as a candidate. Williams underwent intensive training at NASA's Johnson Space Center, which included scientific and technical coursework, spacewalk training, and Russian language training. 

 After completing her training, Sunita Williams' first mission to space was her first ISS mission, Expedition 14, which launched in 2006. Williams' unique blend of military experience, piloting skills, and adaptability made her an ideal candidate for NASA's Astronaut Program. 

What records does Sunita Williams hold? 

Sunita Williams has set remarkable records as a woman astronaut which is an inspiration for many aspiring woman astronauts. She did her first spacewalk on December 12, 2006 for 7 hours and 31 minutes. Sunita Williams also hold records for the most spacewalks by a woman, which were seven in total. She has now broken her previous record of 50 hours 40 minutes after her nine months stay in ISS which has now extended to 62 hours and 6 minutes. She has been the first person to run a marathon in space, completing the Boston Marathon on a treadmill aboard the ISS.