Sunita L. Williams has become the second woman of Indian origin to be selected by NASA for a space mission.

Born September 19, 1965 in Euclid, Ohio, to Indian immigrant Dr. Deepak, a physician from Gujarat and Bonnie Pandya.

A graduate of Florida Institute of Technology, Sunita was selected for the astronaut programme by NASA in June 1998, in part because of her extensive experience on more than 30 different US Navy aircrafts.

She reported for training in August 1998. Astronaut Candidate Training included orientation briefings and tours, numerous scientific and technical briefings, intensive instruction in Shuttle and International Space Station systems, physiological training and ground school to prepare for T-38 flight training, as well as learning water and wilderness survival techniques.

Following a period of training and evaluation, Williams worked in Moscow with the Russian Space Agency.
She is married to Michael J. Williams. Her recreational interests include running, swimming, biking, triathlons, windsurfing, snowboarding and bow hunting. Her parents reside in Falmouth, Massachusetts.

She is a member of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, Society of Flight Test Engineers, American Helicopter Association.

She has been awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal and various other service awards.

She has logged over 2770 flight hours in more than 30 different aircraft.