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

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CNBC TV18•21-01-2026, 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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