Though she had an aptitude for science since childhood, Williams dreamt of being a veterinary doctor. Her mind changed after she visited her brother Jay at the US Naval Academy. At the time, Tom Cruise-starrer Top Gun was a rage. On getting an opportunity, she joined the Naval Aviation Training Command, but did not get to fly a combat aircraft.

Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams have nearly half a century of combined experience as astronauts. But this is just their third time in space. Ms. Williams was born in Ohio but grew up in Massachusetts. She was a test pilot in the U.S. Navy and has spent more than 3,000 hours flying 30 different aircraft. She was selected as a NASA astronaut in 1998.