Sunita Williams, one of the most accomplished astronauts in the history of human spaceflight, has retired from NASA after an extraordinary 27-year career marked by leadership, resilience, and record-breaking achievements. Her retirement, effective December 27, 2025, comes after a historic nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), bringing to a close a journey that inspired millions across the world.

In a statement announcing her retirement, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman hailed Williams as a trailblazer who helped shape the future of space exploration.

“Suni Williams has been a trailblazer in human spaceflight, shaping the future of exploration through her leadership aboard the space station and paving the way for commercial missions to low Earth orbit,” Isaacman said. He added that her contributions laid the groundwork for NASA’s Artemis missions to the Moon and future human missions to Mars.

Born in Euclid, Ohio, Williams considers Needham, Massachusetts, her hometown. She is of Indian and Slovenian heritage. Her father, a neuroanatomist, hailed from Jhulasan village in Gujarat’s Mehsana district before migrating to the United States, where he married Bonnie Pandya. Williams has often spoken with pride about her multicultural roots and the inspiration she draws from them.

Williams’ spaceflight career began on December 9, 2006, when she launched aboard Space Shuttle Discovery on the STS-116 mission. She later returned to Earth on Space Shuttle Atlantis as part of STS-117. During Expeditions 14 and 15, she served as a flight engineer and set a then-record by completing four spacewalks, showcasing exceptional technical expertise and physical endurance.

Her second space mission came in 2012, when she launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan for a 127-day stay aboard the ISS as part of Expeditions 32 and 33. Williams later assumed command of Expedition 33, becoming one of the few women to lead the space station. During this mission, she conducted three critical spacewalks, repairing a leaking radiator and replacing major power system components.

Williams’ third and longest mission began in June 2024, when she and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft for NASA’s Crew Flight Test mission. Originally planned as a short-duration flight, the mission extended to nine months due to technical adjustments. The pair joined Expeditions 71 and 72 before safely returning to Earth in March 2025.

Across her career, Williams logged a total of 608 days in space and completed nine spacewalks lasting 62 hours and six minutes — the most by any female astronaut and fourth-highest in NASA history. She was also the first person to run a marathon in space, symbolising her commitment to pushing human limits.

Beyond her missions, Williams played a vital role in astronaut training and leadership. She participated in NASA’s NEEMO underwater mission in 2002, served as deputy chief of the Astronaut Office, worked as Director of Operations in Star City, Russia, and contributed to developing helicopter training programs for future Moon landings.

As she steps into retirement, Sunita Williams leaves behind a legacy defined by courage, service, and scientific excellence — one that will continue to inspire future generations of explorers.