Sunita Williams. /Imahe X@astro suni
Science
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CNBC TV1821-01-2026, 11:17

Sunita Williams Retires After 27 Years: A Legacy of Space Missions and Records

  • NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has retired after a distinguished 27-year career, marked by extensive space missions and leadership roles.
  • She accumulated 608 days in orbit, ranking second among NASA astronauts, and completed nine spacewalks totaling over 62 hours, a record for women.
  • Williams commanded the International Space Station twice, overseeing critical maintenance and repairs during Expeditions 33 and 72.
  • Her career highlights include running the Boston Marathon in orbit and participating in the crewed test flight of Boeing's Starliner.
  • Beyond spaceflight, she held key operational roles at NASA, including deputy chief of the Astronaut Office, and contributed to lunar mission training.

Why It Matters: Sunita Williams concludes a remarkable 27-year NASA career, leaving a legacy of space exploration and leadership.

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