Glavni cilj in namen Zavoda slovenski astronavt je spodbujati astronavte slovenskega porekla, njihove dosežke in motiviranje mladih za poklic astronavta.  The main focus and purpose of the Institute for Slovene Astronauts (ISA) is to promote the Astronauts of Slovene origin, their achievements and to motivate young people for the profession of an astronaut. ISA was formally founded 9.7.2012 by Marjeta Kokalj as the director and Yasmina Bacinich as the cofounder.

Marjeta Kokalj was a president of the Community Leše pri Trzicu during 2006 and 2010. In 2009 she was a part of a research group of Sunita L. William's family roots and in the same year cooperated with Slovenian Scientific Foundation and Dr. Kobal. It was decided to make Dr. Petrač who worked for NASA over several decades, an honourable member of the Institute.

Institute for Slovene Astronauts was founded in 2012 by director Marjeta Kokalj to promote human research and exploration of space and the role of women in space. Astronaut Williams has shown a great amount of success and charisma in her expertise and missions on the International Space Station. Her visit in 2009 is a great contribution to the purpose of the Institute for Slovene Astronauts, which is the promotion of American astronauts with Slovene origins (Ronald Sega, Jerry M. Linenger, Sunita Williams) with the intention to raise awareness of extraordinary people and missions that connect Slovenia and United States.

Astronaut Williams officially opened museum dedicated to her and future NASA astronauts in 2009. The museum carries astronaut's family tree, objects from space, books, photographs, personal belongings etc.