In a monumental moment for space exploration, Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams has bid farewell to NASA after an illustrious 27-year career. Her retirement, announced following a grueling nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), marks the end of an era for one of NASA’s most accomplished astronauts.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman praised Williams as a ‘trailblazer in human spaceflight.’ He highlighted her leadership on the ISS, which paved the way for future exploration and commercial missions in low Earth orbit. ‘Her work advancing science and technology has laid the groundwork for Artemis missions to the Moon and journeys to Mars,’ Isaacman stated in an official release. Williams officially stepped down on December 27, 2025.
Born in Euclid, Ohio, and considering Needham, Massachusetts, her hometown, Williams carries deep Indian roots through her father, originally from Jhulasa in Gujarat’s Mehsana district. A neuroanatomist by profession, he married Bonnie Pandya, of Slovenian descent. Beyond her stellar professional life, Williams enjoys renovating homes, working on cars and planes, hiking, camping, and spending time with her dogs alongside husband Michael.
Williams’ cosmic journey launched on December 9, 2006, aboard Space Shuttle Discovery during STS-116. She returned on Atlantis with STS-117 crew, serving as flight engineer on Expeditions 14 and 15. There, she set records with four spacewalks, showcasing exceptional technical prowess and endurance.
In 2012, from Kazakhstan’s Baikonur Cosmodrome, she embarked on a 127-day mission for Expeditions 32 and 33, becoming one of the few women to command the ISS. She conducted three spacewalks to repair a leaking radiator and replace a critical power component.
Her most extended voyage began in June 2024 with fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore on Boeing’s Starliner for NASA’s Crew Flight Test. Initially short-term, technical glitches extended it to nine months across Expeditions 71 and 72. They safely returned in March 2025 after 286 days in space, placing Williams sixth on NASA’s longest single spaceflights list.
With nine spacewalks totaling 62 hours and 6 minutes, Williams holds the record for most by any woman and ranks fourth all-time at NASA. She’s also the first person to run a marathon in space. Her contributions extended to astronaut training, including NEEMO underwater missions, roles as Deputy Chief of the Astronaut Office, and developing helicopter training for future lunar landings.
Williams’ legacy inspires generations to push boundaries. As NASA congratulates her, the space community reflects on a career that redefined possibilities.
