Sunita Williams Concludes 27-year Stellar Career at NASA

• NASA bids farewell to Sunita Williams after three decades of service
• Three spaceflights, historic spacewalks, and extended ISS missions define her
• She influenced astronaut training, NEEMO missions, and lunar pre-programs

Sunita Williams, one of NASA's pioneering astronauts, has retired after almost three decades of service in space. Renowned for her record-breaking spacewalks and nine-month high-stakes mission aboard the ISS, Sunita concluded a 27-year career on December 27, 2025, NASA announced this week. From naval command to orbital excellence, Sunita, has carried out three missions to the ISS, firmly establishing her reputation as one of NASA’s standout performers.

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,”. In his speech, he highlighted that her command aboard the space station played a pivotal role in advancing exploration.

Away from headline missions, Sunita was committed to build operational depth over NASA. She was selected in the NEEMO underwater mission in 2002, where she trained for nine days in a submerged habitat. Later on, she advanced to acting deputy chief of the Astronaut Office, where she led operations in Star City, Russia, and contributed to the development of helicopter training for future lunar missions.

“Anyone who knows me knows that space is my absolute favourite place to be,” Williams said. “It’s been an incredible honour to have served in the Astronaut Office and to have had the opportunity to fly in space three times.”, Sunita said in her farewell message. Over her extensive career, Sunita spent 608 days in orbit, placing her second at NASA, including a 286-day mission—tied for sixth-longest by an American astronaut.