ArdorComm Media News Network
January 21, 2026
Veteran NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has officially retired from the US space agency, bringing to a close an extraordinary 27-year career in human spaceflight. Her retirement, which took effect on the 27th of last month, was confirmed by NASA in an announcement issued today.
In a statement, NASA highlighted Williams’ exceptional achievements, noting that she flew on three missions to the International Space Station (ISS) and spent a cumulative 608 days in space—the second-highest total for any NASA astronaut. She also carried out nine spacewalks, logging more than 62 hours outside the station, a record for the most spacewalking time by a woman. Among her many firsts, Williams also became the first astronaut to run a marathon while in orbit.
Williams, who is of Indian origin, made her space debut in 2006 aboard Space Shuttle Discovery. She later went on to command the ISS during Expedition 33. Her final mission took place during 2024–2025, when she flew aboard Boeing’s Starliner and SpaceX Crew-9, serving as commander of Expedition 72.
Beyond her time in orbit, Williams played a key role in several ground-based assignments at NASA. Her contributions included astronaut training, mission operations in Russia, and preparing crews for upcoming lunar exploration missions. A former US Navy captain, she has accumulated more than 4,000 flight hours across helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.
Commending her legacy, NASA described Sunita Williams as a pioneer in space exploration whose leadership, dedication and achievements have inspired generations and significantly advanced scientific discovery and human spaceflight.
Source: newsonair