Ahmedabad: Space missions have something "Indian" about them, once again.

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has recently appointed Sunita Lyn Williams, a graduate of United States Naval academy and a close relative of former Gujarat Home Minister Haren Pandya, as backup crew for the international space station expedition 10, her family sources said.

Pandya, the maternal uncle of Sunita, said, "Sunita's appointment with NASA brings pride to all of us. Our best wishes are always with her."

37-year-old Sunita has been selected in the astronaut class of 1998 and will be a first time flier, sources added.

Unlike two other colleagues selected along with her, Sunita has been a helicopter pilot, a test pilot and test pilot instructor.

Sunita, married to Michael Williams was born in Euclid, Ohio, to Deepak and Ursaline Pandya, who live in Falmouth, Massachusetts.

The "space woman" likes to swim, bike, windsurf and indulge in bow hunting when in leisure.

PTI