A Life Beyond Earth: Astronaut Sunita Williams Retires After 27 Years with NASA

Washington, 21 January 2026 NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has officially retired after completing an extraordinary 27-year journey with the U.S. space agency. The announcement was made on December 27, marking the end of a career that helped shape modern human spaceflight and inspired millions across the world. Calling her contributions historic, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said, “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.” He further added, “Her work advancing science and technology has laid the foundation for Artemis missions to the Moon and advancing toward Mars, and her extraordinary achievements will continue to inspire generations to dream big and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Congratulations on your well-deserved retirement, and thank you for your service to NASA and our nation.” Over her career, Williams spent a total of 608 days in space, the second-highest time recorded by any NASA astronaut. She also shares the record for the sixth-longest single space mission by an American, spending 286 days in orbit with astronaut Butch Wilmore during NASA’s Boeing Starliner and SpaceX Crew-9 missions. Her dedication to space exploration placed her among the most experienced astronauts in NASA’s history. Williams also set multiple spacewalk records. She completed nine spacewalks totaling 62 hours and 6 minutes, making her the woman with the highest spacewalk time and placing her fourth overall worldwide. She became the first person to run a marathon in space, further highlighting her physical and mental endurance beyond Earth. Her space journey began in December 2006 aboard Space Shuttle Discovery on mission STS-116. She later served as a flight engineer during Expeditions 14 and 15, setting a then-record by completing four spacewalks in a single mission. In 2012, she launched from Kazakhstan for Expeditions 32 and 33 and later became commander of Expedition 33, leading key repair missions on the space station. Most recently, Williams flew aboard Boeing’s Starliner in June 2024 for NASA’s Crew Flight Test mission. She later commanded the International Space Station during Expedition 72 and returned safely to Earth in March 2025 aboard NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 mission. With her retirement, Sunita Williams leaves behind a powerful legacy of courage, leadership, and scientific achievement that will continue to guide the future of space Sunita Williams Bids Farewell to NASA After 27 Remarkable Years in Space Exploration NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has officially retired after serving the space agency for 27 years. Her retirement on December 27, 2025, marks the end of an inspiring journey that played a key role in shaping human spaceflight and strengthening NASA’s missions beyond Earth. During her career, Williams spent an impressive 608 days in space, making her one of NASA’s most experienced astronauts. She took part in long-duration missions aboard the International Space Station and shared one of the longest single spaceflights by an American astronaut. Her dedication and endurance set new benchmarks for future space explorers. Williams also created history outside the space station. She completed nine spacewalks totaling more than 62 hours, the highest by any woman astronaut. She also became the first person to run a marathon in space, showing both physical strength and determination in extreme conditions. Her final mission came in 2024 aboard Boeing’s Starliner, after which she commanded the International Space Station and safely returned to Earth in 2025. As she steps away from NASA, Sunita Williams leaves behind a powerful legacy that will continue to inspire generations to dream big and reach for the stars.