Space Missions:

Aryabhata:

• India sent its first experimental satellite into space on April 19, 1975.
• Aryabhata was India’s first experimental satellite.
• Its Weight is 360 Kilograms.
• It was launched from a space center in the Soviet Union.
• The satellite did scientific experiments using X-rays in space and sent the information back to Earth.

Bhaskara-I:

• India’s second satellite was launched on June 7, 1979.
• It weighed 436 kilograms.
• The satellite collected information about India’s land, water, forests, and oceans.

Rohini:

• The Rohini series of satellites made by ISRO for Indian scientific programs.
• Four Rohini satellites were launched: Rohini-1A, -1B, -2, and -3.
• Rohini-1B was the first Indian satellite launched by an Indian rocket.

Rohini 1B:

• Launched on July 18, 1980, from Sriharikota using the SLV-3 rocket.
• It was India’s first successful satellite launch.
• This experimental satellite was launched after the failure of Rohini-1A.

Rohini 1A:

• Launched on August 10, 1979.
• It re-entered Earth’s orbit on May 20, 1981.
• Rohini 1A was likely a failed launch, and it did not achieve orbit.

Rohini 2:

• Launched on May 31, 1981, using the SLV rocket.

Rohini 3 from Sriharikota

• Rohini 3: Launched on April 17, 1983, from Sriharikota using the SLV-3 rocket.

• It had two cameras and a special radio beacon.

• This satellite sent back about 5000 pictures of Earth before it was turned off on September 24, 1984.

• It came back into orbit on April 19, 1990.

APPLE (Ariane Passenger Payload Experiment)

• India’s first experimental satellite that stayed in a fixed position above Earth. It weighed 673 kilograms and was launched on June 19, 1981.

Bhaskara-II

• India’s second satellite for observing Earth. It was launched on November 20, 1981.

SLV Mission (Satellite Launch Vehicle)

• India’s first satellite launch vehicle, called SLV-3, was successfully launched on July 18, 1980, from Sriharikota.

• Rohini-2 (RS-D2) was put into orbit on April 17, 1983, using SLV-3. This completed the planned test flights of the SLV-3.

IRS Mission (Indian Remote Sensing Satellite)

• IRS-1A, India’s first IRS satellite, was launched on March 17, 1988, to monitor and manage natural resources.

• IRS-1B, India’s second IRS satellite, was launched on August 29, 1991. - A new remote sensing satellite was sent into space on August 29, 1991. It replaced the IRS-IA satellite, which was about to stop working.

• The IRS system was made even better with the addition of IRS-IC, IRS-P3, IRS-ID, and IRS-P4.

• The last three satellites were launched on December 28, 1995, by a Russian rocket.

• IRS-1C was launched on December 28, 1995, by a Russian rocket, but IRS-P3 and IRS-ID were not launched on the same date. IRS-P3 was launched on March 21, 1996

IRS-ID was launched by PSLV on September 29, 1997.

• IRS-P3 was launched on March 21, 1996, by the third developmental flight of PSLV-D3.
• IRS-P4 (OCEANSAT), another satellite, was launched by PSLV on May 26, 1999.
• IRS-P5 and IRS-P6, two more satellites, are planned to be launched in the next three years. IRS-P5 (CARTOSAT-1) was launched on May 5, 2005, IRS-P6 (RESOURCESAT-1) was launched on October 17, 2003. IRS-P5 will be used for mapping, and IRS-P6 will be used to study agriculture and natural resources.

ASLV Mission (Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle):

ASLV is a rocket designed to launch Indian satellites into low Earth orbit. It can carry satellites weighing around 150 kilograms and 400km orbit.

SROSS (Stretched Rohini Satellite Series):

• After two ASLV launches failed, SROSS-III, a 105-kilogram satellite, was successfully placed in a 450-kilometer-high orbit.
• India’s fourth developmental flight was made on May 4, 1994.
• SROSS-C2 was launched on July 13, 1992, SROSS-C4 was launched on May 4, 1994 was successfully placed into Earth’s orbit from Sriharikota.
• ASLV is the forerunner of the more powerful Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and the Geosynchronous Launch Vehicle (GSLV).
• The first developmental flight of the PSLV, called PSLV-D1, failed on September 20, 1993, but it was not a complete failure. The rocket reached space but failed to place the IRS-1E satellite into orbit due to a guidance system failure.
• However, ISRO considered it a partial success because it showed India’s capabilities in liquid propulsion systems.

INSAT Mission (Indian National Satellite System)

• The Indian National Satellite (INSAT) system is a joint project involving the Department of Space, Department of Telecommunications, Indian Meteorological Department, All India Radio, and Doordarshan.
• The Secretary-level INSAT Coordination Committee is responsible for the overall coordination and management of the INSAT system.
• Established in 1983, INSAT is one of the largest domestic satellite systems in the world.- The first INSAT satellite, INSAT-1A, was launched on April 10, 1982
• In the Asia Pacific Region, there are nine domestic communication satellite systems in operation. These satellites are: INSAT-2E, INSAT-3A, INSAT-3B, INSAT-3C, INSAT-3E, GSAT-2, EDUSAT, and INSAT-4A.

The most recent satellite, INSAT-4A, was successfully launched from Kourou in French Guyana on December 22, 2005. This satellite has greatly improved INSAT’s capabilities, especially for Direct-To-Home (DTH) television broadcasts.

Unfortunately, the launch of INSAT-4C on July 10, 2006, was unsuccessful.

Here is a brief overview of the INSAT launches:

• INSAT-1A: Launched on April 10, 1982, but failed prematurely.
• INSAT-1B: Launched on August 30, 1983, and was successful.
• INSAT-1C: Launched on July 22, 1988, but became redundant in 1989.
• INSAT-1D: Launched on July 17, 1990, and was successful, completing its mission.

INSAT-2 Projects

• INSAT-2A: India’s first indigenously built second-generation satellite. It was launched on July 10, 1992, and has 50% more capacity than the INSAT-I series.
• INSAT-2B: India’s second indigenously built satellite. It was launched launched by Ariane rocket from Kourou, French Guiana on July 23, 1993, and has 50% more capacity than INSAT-2A.

INSAT-2B

• INSAT-2B was launched by the European Space Agency from Kourou, French Guinea on July 23, 1993.
• It replaced INSAT-1B, which had completed its ten-year lifespan.

Current Satellites

• The INSAT system is currently served by satellites built by ISRO, including INSAT-2C, INSAT-2E, INSAT-3B, and INSAT-2DT (procured from ARABSAT in October 1997).

INSAT-3B

• INSAT-3B was launched on March 22, 2000
• INSAT-3B actually carried 12 extended C-band transponders, 3 Ku-band transponders, and 1 CxS mobile satellite service transponders.

INSAT-4 Project

• INSAT-4CR was launched on September 2, 2007.
• INSAT-4A was indeed launched on December 21, 2005, but it is not the most recent satellite in the INSAT series
• INSAT-4B was launched on March 12, 2007,

Press Trust of India (PTI)

• PTI uses INSAT’s broadcast facilities to provide news and information services at high speed and increased volume.

Business Communication and Mobile Satellite Service

• INSAT-2C and INSAT-2E are no longer operational. INSAT-3B and other operational satellites in the INSAT system are being used for business communication and mobile satellite services.

Television Services

• INSAT has indeed enabled a significant expansion in television services, but the number of TV channels is not up-to-date. As of 2022, INSAT is supporting over 200 TV channels.

ASLV-D4

• The fourth developmental flight of the ASLV (Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle) was conducted successfully. On May 4, 1994, India launched the SROSS-C4 satellite into orbit from Sriharikota.

Today, India has a rocket called the PSLV that can launch satellites weighing up to 1750 kilograms into orbit.

The first successful launch of the PSLV took place on October 15, 1994, when it placed the IRS-P2 satellite into orbit.

The second test launch of the PSLV took place on March 21, 1996, when it placed the IRS-P3 satellite into orbit. This was not the final test launch

The first operational flight of the PSLV took place on September 29, 1997, when it placed the IRS-1D satellite into orbit.

The PSLV-C2 launch on May 26, 1996, placed the IRS-P4 (OCEANSAT) satellite, a Korean satellite called KITSAT-3, and a German satellite called TUBSAT into orbit.

The PSLV-C3 launch is planned to place the IRS-P5 satellite and a Belgian satellite called PROBA into orbit.

India is also developing a rocket called the GSLV, which will be able to launch satellites into a higher orbit.

India’s Space Program

India is working on a new type of satellite called the INSAT class. These satellites weigh 2000 kilograms and are put into a special orbit called geosynchronous transfer orbit. This is still in the testing phase.

The PSLV C-7 rocket carried four satellites into space. The heaviest was the Indian Remote Sensing Satellite CARTOSAT-2, which weighs 680 kilograms. The other satellites were the Space Capsule Recovery Equipment (550 kilograms), Indonesia’s LAPANTUBSAT, and Argentina’s PEHUENSAT-1 (6 kilograms).

ISRO, the Indian Space Research Organisation, has five space centers:

• SHAR-Sriharikota Launching Range
• VSSC-Vikram Sarabhai Space Center
• ISAC-ISRO Satellite Center (under development)
• SAC-Space Applications Center (under development)
• ISTRAC-ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network (under development)

India has developed several space launch vehicles:

• SLV-Satellite Launch Vehicle
• ASLV-Augmented Satellite Launch Vehicle
• PSLV-Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle
• GSLV-Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle

India is also working on new space launch vehicles:

• GSLV Mk-I
• GSLV Mk-II
• GSLV Mk-III

Launcher and Propulsion:

• ISRO’s biggest development area is the launcher and propulsion system.
• The launcher program has gradually changed over time. It started with the all-solid SLV-3 and now uses solid, liquid, and cryogenic fueled stages in the PSLV series (Delta class launcher) and GSLV (Ariane-class).
• GSAT-7 was launched on a foreign launch vehicle (Ariane-5) due to the unavailability of an Indian launch vehicle at the time.

Indian Space Programme:

• PSLV-C21: Launched an Earth Observation Satellite.

2012

• PROITERES: Launched an Experimental/Small Satellite on September 9.

2012

• RISAT-1: Launched an Earth Observation Satellite on April 26.

2011

• Jugnu: Launched an Experimental/Small Satellite on October 12.

2011

• SRM Sat: Launched an Experimental/Small Satellite on October 12.

2011

• Megha-Tropiques: Launched an Earth Observation Satellite on October 12.

2011

• GSAT-12: Launched a Geo-Stationary Satellite on July 15.

2011

• GSAT-8: Launched a Geo-Stationary Satellite on May 21.

2011

• RESOURCESAT-2: Launched an Earth Observation Satellite on April 20.

2011

• YOUTHSAT: Launched an Experimental/Small Satellite on April 20.

2010

• GSAT-5P: Launched a Geo-Stationary Satellite on December 25.

2010

• STUDSAT: Launched an Experimental/Small Satellite on July 12.

2010

• CARTOSAT-2B: Launched an Earth Observation Satellite on July 12.

2010

• GSAT-4: Launched a Geo-Stationary Satellite on April 15.

2009

• Oceansat-2: Launched an Earth Observation Satellite on September 23.

ANUSAT

• Launch Date: April 20, 2009
• Rocket: PSLV-C12
• Type: Experimental/Small Satellite

RISAT-2

• Launch Date: April 20, 2009
• Rocket: PSLV-C12
• Type: Earth Observation Satellite

Chandrayaan-1

• Launch Date: October 22, 2008
• Rocket: PSLV-C11
• Type: Space Mission

CARTOSAT - 2A

• Launch Date: April 28, 2008
• Rocket: PSLV-C9
• Type: Earth Observation Satellite

IMS-1

• Launch Date: April 28, 2008
• Rocket: PSLV-C9
• Type: Earth Observation Satellite

INSAT-4B

• Launch Date: March 12, 2007
• Rocket: Ariane-5ECA
• Type: Geo-Stationary Satellite

CARTOSAT - 2

• Launch Date: January 10, 2007
• Rocket: PSLV-C7
• Type: Earth Observation Satellite

SRE - 1

• Launch Date: January 10, 2007
• Rocket: PSLV-C7
• Type: Experimental/Small Satellite

INSAT-4CR

• Launch Date: September 2, 2007
• Rocket: GSLV-F04
• Type: Geo-Stationary Satellite

INSAT-4C

• Launch Date: July 10, 2006
• Rocket: GSLV-F02
• Type: Geo-Stationary Satellite

INSAT-4A

• Launch Date: December 22, 2005
• Rocket: Ariane-5GS
• Type: Geo-Stationary Satellite

HAMSAT

• Launch Date: May 5, 2005
• Rocket: PSLV-C6
• Type: Experimental/Small Satellite

CARTOSAT-1

• Launch Date: May 5, 2005
• Rocket: PSLV-C6
• Type: Earth Observation Satellite

EDUSAT (GSAT-3)

• Launch Date: September 20, 2004
• Rocket: GSLV-F01
• Type: Geo-Stationary Satellite

Resourcesat-1 (IRS-P6)

• Launch Date: October 17, 2003
• Rocket: PSLV-C5
• Type: Earth Observation Satellite

Observation Satellite

Earth Observation Satellite

Aryabhata

• Launched on April 19, 1975
• C-1 Intercosmos satellite
• Experimental/Small Satellite

India’s Atomic Research

First Nuclear Explosion

• Conducted on May 18, 1974, in the Pokharan desert in Rajasthan.
• Aim was to use atomic energy for peaceful purposes, such as digging canals, building. reservoirs, exploring for oil, and studying rock dynamics.
• Made India the sixth nuclear nation in the world.
• India’s atomic research program was established in 1948.

ISRO Centers

• National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC)
• Physical Research Laboratory (PRL)
• National Atmospheric Research Laboratory (NARL)
• North Eastern Space Applications Centre (NE-SAC)
• Semi-Conductor Laboratory (SCL)
• Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO)
• Antrix Corporation Ltd. (Antrix)
• Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC)
• Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC)
• Spacecraft Design and Development Centre (SDSC)
• ISRO Satellite Centre (ISAC)
• Space Applications Centre (SAC)
• Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology (IISU)
• Development and Educational Communication Unit (DECU)
• Master Control Facility (MCF)
• ISRO Telemetry, Tracking, and Command Network (ISTRAC)
• Liquid Propulsion Test Facilities (LEOS)
• Indian Institute of Space Technology (IIST)
• Indian Institute of Remote Sensing (IIRS)

Space Research Organizations:

• Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre: Develops and tests liquid propulsion systems for rockets.
• Satish Dhawan Space Centre: India’s main spaceport, located in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh.
• ISRO Satellite Centre: Designs and builds satellites.
• Space Application Centre: Develops and uses space technology for various applications, such as communication, weather forecasting, and remote sensing.
• ISRO Interial Systems Unit: Develops and tests inertial navigation systems for rockets and satellites.
• Development and Educational Communication Unit: Creates educational materials and programs related to space science.
• Master Control Facility: Controls and monitors satellites in orbit.
• ISRO Telemetry Tracking and Command Network: Tracks and communicates with satellites in orbit.
• Laboratory for Electro-optic Systems: Develops and tests electro-optic systems for satellites.
• Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology: Provides education and research in space science and technology.
• Indian Institute of Remote Sensing: Provides education and research in remote sensing technology.

Atomic Energy Commission:

• Established in 1948 to oversee India’s atomic energy programs.

Department of Atomic Energy (DAE):

• Created in 1954 to implement atomic energy programs.

• Headed by the Prime Minister of India.

• Includes five research centers:

  • Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC): India’s largest atomic research center, located in Trombay, Maharashtra.
  • Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research: Located in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.
  • Centre for Advanced Technology: Located in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
  • Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology: Located in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
  • Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre: Located in Kolkata, West Bengal.

  Nuclear Power in India

The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) is responsible for the development and regulation of nuclear power in India. It was established in 1954 and is headquartered in Mumbai.

DAE’s Organizations and Institutes

DAE has several organizations and institutes that work on different aspects of nuclear power. These include:

Industrial Organizations:

• Heavy Water Board (HWB): Produces heavy water, which is used as a moderator in nuclear reactors.
• Nuclear Fuel Complex (NFC): Manufactures nuclear fuel for reactors.
• Board of Radiation and Isotope Technology (BRIT): Develops and uses radiation and isotope technologies for various applications.

Public Sector Undertakings:

• Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL): Operates nuclear power plants in India.
• Uranium Corporation of India Ltd. (UCIL): Mines uranium, which is used as fuel in nuclear reactors.
• Indian Rare Earth Ltd. (IRE): Produces rare earth minerals, which are used in various industries.
• Electronics Corporation of India Ltd. (ECIL): Manufactures electronic components and systems for nuclear power plants.

Service Organizations:

• Directorate of Purchase and Stores (DPS): Procures goods and services for DAE’s organizations.
• Construction, Services and Estate Management Group: Manages the construction and maintenance of DAE’s facilities.
• General Services Organization (GSO): Provides various support services to DAE’s organizations.
• Atomic Energy Education Society (AEES): Promotes nuclear education and research.

Autonomous National Institutes:

DAE also financially supports seven autonomous national institutes that conduct research in various areas of nuclear science and technology. These institutes include:

• Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR)
• Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
• Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR)
• Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT)
• Variable Energy Cyclotron Centre (VECC)
• Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration Research (AMD)
• National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER)

These organizations and institutes play a vital role in the development and regulation of nuclear power in India.

Nuclear Research Institutes in India:

1. TIFR (Tata Institute of Fundamental Research), Mumbai: This institute focuses on research in fundamental physics, mathematics, and other basic sciences.
2. TMC (Tata Memorial Centre), Mumbai: This centre is dedicated to cancer research and treatment, using nuclear medicine and radiation therapy.
3. SINP (Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics), Kolkata: This institute conducts research in nuclear physics, particle physics, and astrophysics.
4. IOP (Institute of Physics), Bhubaneswar: This institute is involved in research areas such as condensed matter physics, materials science, and optics.
5. HRI (Harish-Chandra Research Institute), Allahabad: This institute focuses on research in mathematics, including algebra, geometry, and number theory.
6. IMS (Institute of Mathematical Studies), Chennai: This institute is dedicated to advanced research in mathematics, statistics, and computer science.
7. IPR (Institute of Plasma Research), Ahmedabad: This institute conducts research on plasma physics and fusion energy, aiming to develop technologies for future energy sources.

Nuclear Power Projects:

• NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd.): This company is responsible for designing, building, and operating nuclear power plants in India.
• Nuclear Power Capacity: India aims to have 20,000 megawatts (MW) of nuclear power capacity by the year 2020.
• Electricity Supply Goal: India’s long-term goal is to generate 25% of its electricity from nuclear power by the year 2050.

Atomic Power Plants in India:

• The first atomic station in Asia was commissioned in 1969.

Tarapur Atomic Power Station (TAPS)

• Location: Tarapur, Maharashtra
• Features: This power plant has two boiling water reactors (BWRs) with a total capacity of 415 megawatts (MW).
• Operator: NPCIL

Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project (JNPP)

• Location: Jaitapur, Maharashtra
• Features: 6 x 1650 MW EPR reactors, under construction
• Operator: NPCIL

Chutka Nuclear Power Project (CNPP)

• Location: Chutka, Madhya Pradesh
• Features: 2 x 700 MW PHWRs, under construction
• Operator: NPCIL

Kovvada Nuclear Power Project (KNPP)

• Location: Kovvada, Andhra Pradesh
• Features: 6 x 1200 MW AP1000 reactors, under construction
• Operator: NPCIL

Kovvada Nuclear Power Project (KNPP)

• Location: Kovvada, Andhra Pradesh
• Features: 6 x 1200 MW AP1000 reactors, under construction
• Operator: NPCIL

Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS)

• MAPS is located in Kalpakkam, Tamil Nadu.
• It is India’s first indigenously built atomic power station.

Rajasthan Atomic Power Station (RAPS)

• RAPS is located in Rawatbhata, Rajasthan.

Narora Atomic Power Station (NAPS)

• NAPS is located in Narora, Uttar Pradesh.
• The first unit of NAPS was commissioned in March 1989, and the second unit was commissioned in October 1991.

Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP)

• KAPP is located in Kakrapar, Gujarat.

Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project (KNPP)

• KNPP is located in Kudankulam, Tamil Nadu.
• The project stage for KNPP was conceived in 1988.

Kaiga Power Project (KPP)

• KPP is located in Kaiga, Karnataka.
• The project stage for KPP is still ongoing.

ROBOTICS AND AUTOMATION

• Robotics is a major area of research and development at BARC and IGCAR.
• BARC and HMT-Bangalore have collaborated to manufacture Bilateral Master Slave Servo Manipulators, which have undergone field trials.
• A five-degree of freedom robot has been developed for deployment in radioactive environments. - At Trombay, chemical laboratories, a robot with six degrees of freedom, and a mobile robot have been set up.
• At IGCAR, a Mobile Scanner (MOBSCAN), a Remotely Operated Power Manipulator (ROPMAN), and a robot for capping and decapping bottles have been developed for automation and non-destructive evaluation.

POKHRAN TESTS

• On May 18, 1974, India conducted a peaceful underground nuclear experiment in the Rajasthan desert at Pokhran.
• India successfully conducted five nuclear tests on May 11 and 13, 1998, at Pokhran.
• These tests included a thermonuclear device, a fission device, and three sub-kiloton nuclear devices.
• Measurements taken during the tests confirmed the initially declared yields and other design parameters for all the devices.

CHANDRAYAN-I

• Former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vapayee announced the Chandrayan-I mission on August 15, 2003, during his Independence Day address to the nation.
• The 525kg Chandrayan-I was launched in 2008 on October 22.

Chandrayaan-I Mission:

• Chandrayaan-I was an unmanned mission to the moon.
• It carried instruments to study the moon’s surface and composition.
• Some of the instruments were developed by India, while others were developed by other countries, including the United States, Europe, and Bulgaria.

Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission):

• Mangalyaan was India’s first mission to Mars.
• The main goal of the mission was to develop the technology needed for future interplanetary missions.
• The mission was also designed to study the Martian atmosphere and surface.

Mission Goals:

• Study the surface, shape, and mineral composition of Mars using scientific instruments made in India.
• Explore the Martian atmosphere.

Launch Details:

• The Mars Orbiter Mission spacecraft was launched on November 5, 2013, using the PSLV-C25 rocket.
• The launch took place from the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India.
• The PSLV-C25 mission was designed to place the spacecraft into a highly elliptical orbit around Earth.
• The spacecraft gradually moved into a hyperbolic trajectory, allowing it to escape Earth’s gravitational pull and travel towards Mars.

Autonomous Features:

• The spacecraft is equipped with autonomous features to handle unexpected situations.
• These features enable the spacecraft to make decisions and take actions without human intervention.
• This capability is crucial for handling contingencies during the long journey to Mars and during the mission’s operations around the planet. When the spacecraft gets close to Mars, it enters an elliptical orbit around the planet. This is done by firing the liquid engine. The spacecraft then moves around Mars in an orbit that is closest to the planet at 366 kilometers and farthest from the planet at about 80,000 kilometers.

India’s Prime Minister has announced that the meteorological series of satellites, ‘METSAT’, will now be called ‘KALPANA’.

The first satellite in the series, ‘METSAT-1’, which India launched on September 12, 2002, will now be known as ‘KALPANA-1’.

‘KALPANA-2’ is expected to be launched by 2007.

Asteroid 51,826 Kalpanachawla is named after her.

She died a hero and is a role model for many young women, especially in India and her hometown of Karnal.

Her life inspires young people to follow in her footsteps.

Sunita L. Williams was born on September 19, 1965, in Euclid, Ohio.

She received several awards, including the Navy Commendation Medal (2), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, and various other service awards.

Williams was commissioned as an Ensign in the United States Navy from the United States Naval Academy in May 1987.

She became a Naval Aviator in July 1989.

Sunita has flown over 2770 hours in more than 30 different aircraft. Sunita Williams is an astronaut. She has worked with NASA and the Russian Space Agency. She has also lived underwater for 9 days in a special habitat. She is currently living and working on the International Space Station. She launched into space on December 9, 2006, and arrived at the space station on December 11, 2006. She stayed on the space station for 195 days and returned to Earth on June 22, 2007.