NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has officially retired after an illustrious 27-year career marked by multiple records and groundbreaking missions in human spaceflight. Her retirement took effect on December 27, 2025, capping a career that included three missions aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and contributions that paved the way for future lunar and Martian exploration.
Williams, 60, recently visited India, where she shared her experiences during an interactive session at the American Center titled “Eyes on the Stars, Feet on the Ground.” She reflected on challenging missions, including one extended stay aboard the ISS that lasted over nine months due to technical issues during a Boeing spacecraft flight.
Born in Euclid, Ohio, to a Gujarati father and Slovenian mother, Williams earned a bachelor’s degree in physical science from the United States Naval Academy and a master’s in engineering management from the Florida Institute of Technology. A retired U.S. Navy captain, she has logged over 4,000 flight hours in 40 types of aircraft, including helicopters and fixed-wing planes.
Over her career, Williams accumulated 608 days in space, ranking second among NASA astronauts for cumulative time. She completed nine spacewalks totaling 62 hours and six minutes—the most for any woman—and was the first person to run a marathon in orbit. She commanded ISS missions during Expedition 33 and Expedition 72, leading crucial repairs and maintenance tasks while conducting scientific research.
Williams launched for the first time aboard space shuttle Discovery in 2006 and participated in subsequent missions, including Expeditions 14/15, 32/33, and the 2024 Starliner Crew Flight Test. Her leadership and technical expertise earned praise from NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, who described her as a “trailblazer in human spaceflight” whose work has laid the foundation for Artemis missions and commercial space endeavors.
Throughout her NASA tenure, Williams inspired colleagues and future generations of astronauts. Reflecting on her career, she emphasized her love for space, the importance of teamwork, and the thrill of contributing to humanity’s exploration beyond Earth. Her pioneering efforts have cemented her legacy as one of the most accomplished and influential astronauts of her generation.
