Date:14/02/2003 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2003/02/14/stories/2003021405051100.htm

National

Woman of Indian origin on NASA mission

Ahmedabad Feb. 13. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration in the United States has appointed Sunita Lyn Williams, a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, as back-up crew for the International Space Station Expedition 10, her family sources said today.

The 37-year-old was selected in the astronaut class of 1998 and would be a first time flier. Ms. Lyn Williams was born in Euclid, Ohio, to Deepak and Ursaline Pandya, who live in Falmouth, Massachusetts. She has been a helicopter pilot, test pilot and test pilot instructor. The former Gujarat Home Minister, Haren Pandya, maternal uncle of Sunita, told PTI ``Sunita's appointment with NASA brings pride to all of us. Our best wishes are always with her.''