“Space is my absolute favourite place to be.”
NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has announced her retirement after an extraordinary 27 years of service, marking the end of one of the most respected careers in human spaceflight.
Her decision comes months after returning to Earth in March 2025, following an unexpected nine-month mission caused by technical failures with the Boeing Starliner capsule.
Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore were originally scheduled for an eight-day mission, which instead stretched to a total of 286 days in space.
Just months earlier, Wilmore also announced his own retirement, with the physical toll of prolonged space travel believed to have influenced both decisions.
Despite the extreme challenges of the mission, Williams made it clear that her passion for space has never faded.
She said: “Space is my absolute favourite place to be.”
Reflecting on her journey, Williams added: “It’s been an incredible honour to have served in the Astronaut Office and have had the opportunity to fly in space three times.”
She praised the International Space Station, describing the people, engineering and science as “truly awe–inspiring” and vital to future exploration of the Moon and Mars.
Sunita Williams said she hopes the foundations laid by her generation of astronauts will make humanity’s next bold steps into space easier.
Her 27 years of service have shaped modern space exploration and commercial missions to low Earth orbit.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman paid tribute, calling her a “trailblazer in human spaceflight” who helped shape the future of exploration.
He said her work advancing science and technology laid the foundations for Artemis missions to the Moon and progress towards Mars.
Isaacman added that her achievements will continue to inspire generations to dream big and push the boundaries of what is possible.
After returning from space, Williams showed some concerning health signs, including visible weight loss observed by NASA officials.
Speaking about the physical effects of long missions, she explained how fluid shifts in the body can change appearance in microgravity.
She said, “Folks in space, their heads look a little bit bigger because the fluid evens out along the body.”
As news of her retirement spread, tributes poured in across social media, particularly on X.
One user wrote: “Suni is an amazing role model, a great person to work with, and a friendly neighbour next door. Retirement well earned. BZ, Suni!”
Another commented, “A true pioneer, she will no doubt find new purpose in the next phase of her life. Her story is immortalised in the history books.”
A third user added: “She wanted the Starliner mission because it was challenging. She wanted something she needed to pilot. I completely admire her talent and bravery.”
Sunita Williams’ retirement marks a defining chapter in space history, shaped by resilience, leadership and dedication to exploration.
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