World-renowned NASA astronaut and Indian-origin Sunita Williams retires

NEW DELHI: World-renowned Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams retired from the American space agency NASA, bringing an end to her illustrious 27-year career, which included 286 days on the International Space Station (ISS). Sunita's career included three missions and 608 days in space. NASA officially announced Sunita's retirement on Tuesday. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said that Sunita played a major role in organising future expeditions.

Sunita Williams, over the years, has repeatedly mentioned space as her most favourite destination.

“I am looking forward to the upcoming Artemis mission with great anticipation. It is time to pass the torch to the next generation. A lot of youngsters are queuing up with new ideas.” Sunitha remarked.

Sunita Williams joined NASA in 1998. Her last trip to space was in June 2024 with Bush Wilmore. Sunita returned to Earth in March 2025 after the spaceflight, which was scheduled for ten days, had to extend stay due to technical difficulties.

Sunita is the second NASA astronaut to spend the most time in the earth orbit. She is also sixth on the list of longest single spacewalks by an American astronaut. Having completed nine spacewalks, Sunita spent a total of 62 hours and six minutes outside the spacecraft. With this, she also holds the record for the longest spacewalk time by a woman. She is also fourth on the all-time list of cumulative spacewalk durations. Sunita holds the distinction of being the first person to run a marathon in space.

Sunita Williams, settled in Needham, Massachusetts, holds a bachelor's degree in physics from the US Naval Academy and a master's degree in engineering management from the Florida Institute of Technology in Melbourne, Florida. She retired as a captain in the US Navy. She was a distinguished helicopter and fixed-wing pilot. She has flown more than 4,000 hours in 40 different aircraft.

Sunita's father, Dr Deepak Pandya, was a renowned neuroanatomist who immigrated to the US from the Mehsana district of Gujarat in the late 1950s. Although Sunita was born and raised in the US, she has always maintained a deep emotional connection to India. Sunitha never misses an opportunity to express her admiration for her native country.