NASA Trailblazer Sunita Williams Retires: A Stellar Career Spanning 27 Years and 608 Days in Orbit
NASA Trailblazer Sunita Williams Retires: A Stellar Career Spanning 27 Years and 608 Days in OrbitIn a landmark moment for space exploration, NASA astronaut Sunita “Suni” Williams retired from the agency effective December 27, 2025. Over 27 years of service, she accumulated 608 days in orbit across three missions—the second-highest total for any NASA astronaut—completed nine spacewalks totaling 62 hours and 6 minutes (the most by any woman), and became a global symbol of perseverance and diversity in STEM.Born September 19, 1965, in Euclid, Ohio, to an Indian-American father and Slovenian-American mother, Williams grew up in Needham, Massachusetts. She graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy (B.S. Physical Science, 1987) and later earned an M.S. in Engineering Management from Florida Institute of Technology (1995). A former Navy helicopter pilot and test pilot, she was selected as an astronaut in 1998.Her three missions include:2006–2007 (STS-116/117): 195 days, four spacewalks, first marathon in space.
2012 (Soyuz TMA-05M): 127 days, three spacewalks, first triathlon in space, second woman to command the ISS.
2024–2025 (Boeing Starliner / SpaceX Crew-9): 286 days, two additional spacewalks—originally an 8-day test flight extended due to spacecraft issues.
Married to Michael J. Williams (former helicopter pilot and current U.S. Federal Marshal) since the late 1980s, the couple resides in Houston with no biological children but have expressed interest in adoption. Williams’ estimated net worth is approximately $5 million, derived primarily from her NASA salary, military pension, and investments.
