Who is Sunita Williams, the NASA trailblazer who just retired after 27 years?

WEB DESK: NASA astronaut Sunita “Suni” Williams officially retired from the agency on December 27, 2025, closing a remarkable 27-year chapter that redefined human spaceflight, said NASA on Tuesday.

Over her career, Williams logged a staggering 608 days in orbit across three missions, becoming one of the most accomplished astronauts in NASA history. Her contributions, spanning technical expertise, leadership aboard the International Space Station (ISS), and groundbreaking achievements in space exploration, have inspired countless aspiring astronauts and engineers worldwide.

Record-Breaking Spacewalks and Missions

Williams’ spaceflight accomplishments are unparalleled. She completed nine spacewalks totaling 62 hours and 6 minutes—the most ever by a female astronaut and fourth overall in NASA’s history. Her missions included the 2006 STS-116 flight aboard Space Shuttle Discovery, her 2012 expedition from Baikonur Cosmodrome addressing critical ISS repairs, and her final mission in 2024.

Originally a short test flight aboard Boeing’s Starliner, the mission extended to over nine months due to technical delays, concluding with her return to Earth in March 2025 aboard the SpaceX Crew-9 capsule. During her tenure, she also became the first person to run a marathon in space.

Honours and Leadership at NASA

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman praised Williams’ impact, calling her “a trailblazer in human spaceflight, shaping the future of exploration through her leadership aboard the space station and paving the way for commercial missions.” Her work has helped lay the foundation for NASA’s Artemis missions to the Moon and the agency’s long-term plans for Mars exploration, cementing her status as an icon in aerospace.

A Life Dedicated to Service and Adventure
Born in Euclid, Ohio, to an Indian-origin father and Slovenian-American mother, Williams considers Needham, Massachusetts, her hometown. A former U.S. Navy officer, she amassed over 3,000 flight hours in more than 30 different aircraft before joining NASA in 1998.

Her naval career included deployments to the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and Persian Gulf, along with leadership roles in disaster relief, flight testing, and safety oversight.

Beyond the Stars: Family and Passions

Today, Williams enjoys life on Earth with her husband Michael and their dogs, pursuing hiking, home projects, and outdoor adventures. Reflecting on her career, she said, “Space is my absolute favorite place to be. Flying three times has been an incredible honour, and I hope our work has made the next steps of exploration to the Moon and Mars a little easier.”

Legacy of Inspiration
With numerous awards including the Legion of Merit, Navy Commendation Medals, and Humanitarian Service Medals, Williams leaves NASA not just as a record-breaking astronaut, but as a mentor, leader, and symbol of perseverance. Her extraordinary career proves that dedication, courage, and curiosity can expand the limits of human potential, both on Earth and beyond.