Mumbai, January 21: Acclaimed NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has officially announced her retirement from the space agency, concluding a remarkable 27-year career. The decision comes shortly after her return from a historic and unplanned nine-month residency on the International Space Station (ISS). Williams, who turned 60 last September, ends her tenure as one of the most experienced and decorated astronauts in modern history, having played a pivotal role in testing new spacecraft and expanding human knowledge of long-duration spaceflight.

Her final mission was initially intended to be an eight-day test flight of the Boeing Starliner capsule. However, technical complications with the spacecraft’s thrusters and helium leaks led to a significant extension, keeping Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore in orbit for 286 days. Despite the challenges and the "stranding" narrative that dominated headlines, Williams remained a stabilising force on the ISS, conducting critical maintenance and scientific research until her safe return via a SpaceX Crew Dragon vessel earlier this year. ‘Amazing, Just Amazing’: Sunita Williams, Indian-Origin NASA Astronaut, Answers to How Country Looked From Space, Highlights Remarkable View at Night.

Sunita Williams Retires From NASA:

Sunita Williams Illustrative Career

Sunita Williams’ journey with NASA began in 1998, and she quickly distinguished herself through her technical expertise and physical endurance. Over three major missions, she logged a cumulative total of 608 days in space.

She was a pioneer in demonstrating that human physiology could withstand the rigors of space for extended periods. Her work on the ISS spanned multiple expeditions, where she served as both a flight engineer and a commander, overseeing complex international collaborations. NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams to Attend Kerala Literature Festival 2026.

Record-Breaking Milestones

Throughout her nearly three decades of service, Williams set several benchmarks that redefined the role of female astronauts in space exploration:

  • Spacewalk Leadership: At the time of her earlier missions, she held the world record for the most spacewalks (seven) and the most total spacewalk time (50 hours and 40 minutes) by a woman.

  • Marathon in Orbit: In 2007, she became the first person to run a marathon in space, completing the Boston Marathon while tethered to a treadmill on the ISS.

  • Triathlon in Space: In 2012, she repeated this athletic feat by completing the first "space triathlon," using the station's exercise equipment to simulate swimming, biking, and running.

The Starliner Legacy

The concluding chapter of her career as a member of the "Crew Flight Test" for Boeing’s Starliner was perhaps her most challenging. As the pilot of the first crewed mission of the new spacecraft, she was tasked with identifying its operational limits.

The nine-month extension of this mission provided NASA with invaluable data on how hardware and humans respond to unforeseen orbital delays. Colleagues have praised her leadership during this period, noting that her calm demeanor under pressure was instrumental in the successful management of the station during the extended stay.

Williams’ retirement marks the departure of a figure who served as a bridge between the Space Shuttle era and the current commercial crew age. Her transition to retirement at the age of 60 follows a tradition of senior astronauts moving into advisory or educational roles within the aerospace industry.

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(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 21, 2026 07:46 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).