First Crew - Sunita
Selected as an astronaut by NASA in 1998 and is a veteran of two space missions Sunita holds a Bachelor of Science in Physical Science from the U.S. Naval Academy and a also a Masters of Science in Engineering Management.
Williams received her commission as an Ensign in the United States Navy where she received her designation as a Basic Diving Officer and was also designated a Naval Aviator in July 1989. Reporting to Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Sunita made overseas deployments to the Mediterranean, Red Sea and the Persian Gulf in support of Desert Shield and Operation Provide Comfort. In September 1992, she was the Officer-in-Charge of an H-46 detachment sent to Miami, Florida for Hurricane Andrew Relief Operations onboard USS Sylvania. Attended the Naval Test Pilot School graduating in 1993. In December 1995, she went back to the Naval Test Pilot School as an Instructor in the Rotary Wing Department and the school’s Safety Officer. Assigned to the USS her duties included Aircraft Handler and the Assistant Air Boss and has logged more than 3000 flight hours in over 30 different aircraft.
Selected as an astronaut by NASA in June 1998, Sunita received intensive instruction in shuttle and International Space Station systems and has worked in Moscow with the Russian Space Agency on the Russian contribution to the space station. Williams has also worked within the Robotics branch on the station’s Robotic Arm and the follow-on Special Purpose Dexterous Manipulator and supported a long-duration mission as Flight Engineer for Expedition 32 and International Space Station Commander for Expedition 33. Williams has spent a total of 322 days in space on two missions; she ranks second on the all-time U.S. endurance list for females. With 50 hours and 40 minutes, she is second on the list of total cumulative spacewalk time by a female astronaut.
Sunita’s qualifications and experience along with a widely varied flight history place Sunita among my top choices for a manned mission to Mars. An off-world expedition to another planet will require intensive training backed up by general multi-systems knowledge and experience and Sunita’s work history has shown her ability to learn complex systems in both space and flight and has proven leadership qualities.
Comments
Post a Comment