But that, perhaps, was precisely the reason her parents or teachers had no inkling, during her childhood, about her future career -- because she used to put her mind into so many different things.

Her mother thought Suni would become a veterinarian, thanks to her love for animals. But that ambition took a back seat after her graduation from high school in 1983. Her brother Jay Pandya, who went to the US Naval Academy, felt she could do well there. She received her commission as an Ensign in the US Navy in May 1987. From that point on, her career moved along an expected path. After a six-month temporary assignment at the Naval Coastal System Command, she received her designation as a Basic Diving Officer and then reported to Naval Aviation Training Command.

Suni was designated a Naval Aviator in July, 1989. After her initial training, she was assigned to a Combat Support Squadron and made overseas deployments to the Mediterranean, the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf in support of Desert Shield and Operation Provide Comfort.

She was selected for the US Naval Test Pilot School and began the course in January, 1993. After graduation, she was assigned to the Rotary Wing Aircraft Test Directorate. In 1995, she went back to the Naval Test Pilot School as an instructor and the school's Safety Officer. From there, she was assigned to the USS Saipan, as Aircraft Handler and Assistant Air Boss. She was selected for the astronaut program by NASA in June, 1998 and began astronaut training in August, 1998.

"I think my life is a little bit more of a happenstance," Suni once said, alluding to her career. "I have told children before not to be afraid to fail because, if you do, you learn something and it is better for you. When you do your best at something, somehow it always seems to work out."

Photograph: Courtesy NASA

Also see: A new spacewalking record for women

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