NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams Announces Retirement
Veteran astronaut completes three ISS missions, sets multiple spaceflight records, and inspires next generation of explorers
New Delhi, Jan 21: NASA astronaut Sunita ‘Suni’ Williams has retired from the space agency, concluding a remarkable 27-year career that included three missions aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and numerous human spaceflight records.
Williams, 60, is currently visiting India and participated in an interactive session at the American Center in New Delhi titled “Eyes on the Stars, Feet on the Ground”, where she reflected on her extraordinary career.
“After 27 years of service, NASA astronaut Suni Williams retired from the agency, effective Dec. 27, 2025. Williams completed three missions aboard the ISS, setting numerous human spaceflight records throughout her career,” NASA stated on January 20.
Born to a Gujarati father, Deepak Pandya, and Slovenian mother, Ursuline Bonnie Pandya, in Euclid, Ohio, Williams became a trailblazer in space exploration. She logged 608 days in space, ranking second among NASA astronauts in cumulative time in orbit, and tied for sixth-longest single spaceflight by an American, completing 286 days during NASA’s Boeing Starliner and SpaceX Crew-9 missions.
A retired US Navy captain, Williams is also a skilled helicopter and fixed-wing pilot, having logged over 4,000 flight hours in 40 different aircraft. Her achievements include nine spacewalks totaling 62 hours and six minutes, making her the woman with the most cumulative spacewalk time and fourth overall among all astronauts. She was also the first person to run a marathon in space.
During her career, Williams launched aboard STS-116, STS-117, and missions from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, serving as ISS flight engineer and commander for Expeditions 33 and 72. She performed critical repairs on station systems and led multiple spacewalks to maintain ISS operations.
“Anyone who knows me knows that space is my absolute favourite place to be,” Williams said. “It’s been an incredible honour to serve in the Astronaut Office and fly in space three times. I had an amazing career at NASA, thanks to the support of all my colleagues.”
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman praised Williams for her pioneering contributions:
“Suni Williams has been a trailblazer in human spaceflight, shaping the future of exploration and paving the way for commercial missions to low Earth orbit. Her work has laid the foundation for Artemis missions to the Moon and beyond, inspiring generations to dream big.”
Williams’ recent mission aboard the Boeing Starliner and SpaceX Crew-9, part of Expeditions 71/72, saw her once again command the ISS, completing two spacewalks and further cementing her legacy in space exploration.
Scott Tingle, chief of the Astronaut Office at NASA Johnson, said,
“Suni is incredibly sharp, and an all around great colleague. She has inspired countless astronauts and will be greatly missed.”
Sunita Williams’ retirement marks the end of an era in human spaceflight, leaving a lasting legacy that continues to inspire aspiring astronauts and space enthusiasts worldwide.
