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Indian -origin American Astronaut Sunita Wilims will return to Earth on Wednesday, March 19 from the International Space Station (ISS). In fact, the spacecraft dragon of Ilon Musk’s company Spacex has reached the International Space Station after about 28 hours.
Sunita and Astronaut Nick Hague, Alexander Gorbunov and Buch Wilmore have been trapped on ISS for 9 months. There was a technical fault in his spacecraft, due to which his return could not be made on time.
Made a career debut in American Navy
In 1987, the United States joined the American Navy after being a graduate from the Naval Academy. In the Navy, he was trained as a helicopter pilot. He then served as a helicopter pilot services in Persian Gulf i.e. Persian Gulf and other missions.
Sunita Williams became a pilot of the Combat Squadron-8 (HC-8) helicopter.
From 1993 to 1994, he was sent to United States Naval Test Pilot School. Here he tested advance aircraft and helicopters. Becoming a Test pilot was an important step to move to NASA. Because NASA often chooses people who are adept at testing advance aircraft.
NASA selected due to experience in Test pilot
In 1998, when NASA sought applications for new astronauts ie astronauts, Sunita Williams also applied. His best academic records, excellent service in the Navy and being exposed as a test pilot were carried forward in this selection process.
In 1998, NASA officially included Sunita Williams in the astronaut program.
Among the thousands of applicants, NASA selects only a few people. Sunita had to undergo several mental, physical and scientific tests. Then the interview and medical test took place. Subsequently, he was officially included in the NASA’s astronaut program in 1998.
Traveling to space for the first time in 2006
Sunita was given intensive training of spacecraft operations, robotics, spacewalk and scientific research after including the Astronauts program. Then he was also trained in Russian ‘Soyuz’ Spacecraft and ‘International Space Station (ISS)’ modules. Subsequently, underwater, zero gravity spacewalk training, survival training in the forest and scientific research were also imparted.
Sunita Williams traveled to space for the first time in 2006.
Finally, Sunita Williams traveled to space for the first time on December 9, 2006 under the STS-116 mission. In this mission, he spent 192 days in space and took several spacewalks.
Also selected for NASA Moon Mission
In 2021, he was selected for Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test Mission. His name is also among the possible astronauts going on the moon under NASA’s ‘Artemis Mission’. She may be a part of NASA’s new ‘Orbital Flight Test-2 (OFT-2) Mission’.
Sunita Williams’ father Deepak Pandya (right) was originally a Mehsana district of Gujarat and was a neurocientist by profession.
Sunita Williams honored with ‘Padma Bhushan’
- In 2008, the Government of India awarded the country’s third largest civilian honor ‘Padma Bhushan’ for his contribution to the ‘Science and Engineering’ sector.
- In 2007, the Sikh community awarded the title ‘Sri Sahib’.
- In 2012, Russia honored the ‘Order of Friendship’ for his contribution to international space missions.
- In 2007, the Gujarat government honored the ‘Gujarat Gaurav Award’.
- In 2008, IIT Kanpur was awarded an honorary degree of ‘Doctor of Science’.
Sunita’s husband Michael J. Williams is also a naval officer.
Sunita Williams made Michael J. Married to Williams. Michael is a fighter pilot and US Navy officer. The two were married in the 1990s, when Sunita was serving in the Navy.
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