Sunita Williams retired from NASA after 27 years of service

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has retired from the space agency. NASA selected Sunita Williams as an astronaut in June, 1998.

• NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has retired from the space agency after 27 years of brilliant service. This retirement is effective from December 27, 2025, which was announced by NASA on January 21, 2026.
• During her career, Williams also contributed to NASA on the ground, including astronaut training, operations in Russia and preparing astronauts for future Moon missions.

Achievements of Sunita Williams

• NASA said that Williams flew on three missions to the International Space Station (ISS), spent 608 days in space, which is the second highest time for any NASA astronaut, and completed nine spacewalks totaling more than 62 hours, which is the most by any woman. She was also the first person to run a marathon in space.
• NASA selected Sunita Williams as an astronaut in June, 1998 and she reported for training that August.
• Of Indian origin, Williams first flew in the Space Shuttle Discovery in 2006 and later served as commander of the ISS during Expedition 33.
• Her most recent mission was in 2024-2025 on Boeing Starliner and SpaceX Crew-9, where she commanded Expedition 72, making her the second woman to do so at that time.
• A retired U.S. Navy captain, she has more than 4,000 flight hours in helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. NASA praised her as a pioneer in human spaceflight, who inspires future generations and helps advance science and exploration.

Sunita Williams’ connection with India

• Sunita Williams’ father was a neuroanatomist, who was born in Jhulasana in Mehsana district of Gujarat, but later moved to America and married Bonnie Pandya, who was Slovenian.
• Sunita Williams was born in Euclid, Ohio to Dr. Deepak Pandya and Bonnie Pandya. After being commissioned as an ensign in the United States Navy in May, 1987, Williams began her service with a temporary assignment at the Naval Coastal System Command.
• She soon earned her designation as a basic diving officer before joining the Naval Aviation Training Command. In July 1989, she became a designated naval aviator, which was the beginning of an extensive flying career.