Aerospace engineer finds inspiration from Sunita Williams

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Astronaut Sunita Williams’ safe return to earth from the space station after almost nine months had triggered anxiety among Indians around the world. Naturally, their first reaction as the capsule splashed into ocean was that of a sigh of relief. And a very strong sense of pride for a woman of Indian descent to have been successful at her space career.

Indians in several countries of the world have voiced their joy and pride in Williams. She inspires women all over the world to go in for challenging professions, work hard to excel at it, and be successful at it.

Speaking to News India Times from Australia, twenty two years old Cherry Maniar, who has also made unconventional choice in career, said she felt a huge sense of relief and happiness at Williams’ return. Maniar has a Bachelor’s degree (Honors) in Aerospace Engineering from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia, and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Aerospace Engineering at the same University.

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Williams’ return, said Maniar, was the result of a collaboration between SpaceX and NASA, leading to the Dragon capsule bringing the astronauts home. Such collaboration is needed both at the national and international level to accelerate space exploration and space technology, Maniar said.

Maniar said Williams being stuck at the International Space Station (ISS) for close to nine months was unexpected, and must have been scary, with physiological and psychological effects. Williams’ tenacity through that strikes Maniar as admirable.

“I really applaud her resilience and patience. I think there’s a lot I can learn from her, especially when it comes to mental and physical fitness, patience, and perseverance in tough situations,” she said.

Maniar was exposed to Williams’ career at home in India, which impressed her so much that, as a kid, she would have chosen to be an astronaut like her if asked, she said. It never struck her that her being a woman would be a deterrent or even a consideration. “It had never occurred to me that I couldn’t build a rocket or be an astronaut because I am Indian, or a woman,” Maniar said. She said she felt being smart was all that was needed.

And Williams has shown her that achieving such incredible things is possible. “She inspires not just women globally, but also men, through her career and everyday life,” Maniar said.

Referring to Williams’ career in STEM, Maniar pointed out that such a career choice was not common for women in the 1980s. “It was a bold step, which opened doors for other women,” Maniar said.

Although the presence of women in STEM fields has increased, aerospace is still lacking in gender representation, Maniar said, pointing out that in her class of 60-70, there are only 10-12 women studying Aerospace Engineering.

Williams’ pride in her heritage is found remarkable by Maniar. When success is achieved in another country in a different field, when the journey has been long, there is a likelihood to forget where one came from, Maniar said.

“Sunita Williams shows us that our roots are what shape us, no matter where we go,” Maniar said. “Her pride in her Indian heritage is something all of us should carry with us, no matter how successful we become,” she added.

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