NASA astronaut Sunita “Suni” Williams retired on December 27, 2025, ending a distinguished 27-year career with the space agency. NASA confirmed the announcement through an official press release. Over nearly three decades, Williams played a key role in shaping human spaceflight programs. She contributed extensively to the International Space Station and supported future exploration goals. Her retirement marks the end of one of NASA’s most accomplished astronaut careers.
NASA leadership praises her impact on space exploration
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman described Williams as a trailblazer in human spaceflight. He praised her leadership aboard the space station and her role in advancing exploration efforts. According to Isaacman, her work helped strengthen commercial missions in low Earth orbit. It also supported NASA’s long-term Artemis missions to the Moon. He said her achievements will inspire future generations to push scientific and technological boundaries.
Record-breaking missions and historic milestones in space
Williams completed three missions to the International Space Station during her career. She spent a total of 608 days in space, the second-highest time logged by a NASA astronaut. She also tied for the sixth-longest single spaceflight by an American. Williams and astronaut Butch Wilmore spent 286 days in orbit during extended missions. She carried out nine spacewalks that lasted 62 hours and six minutes. This record gives her the most spacewalk time by a woman. She also ranks fourth on NASA’s all-time spacewalk list. Williams further made history by becoming the first person to run a marathon in space.
Leadership from shuttle missions to commercial spacecraft
Williams began her space career in December 2006 aboard space shuttle Discovery (STS-116). She returned to Earth on Atlantis (STS-117). During Expeditions 14 and 15, she served as a flight engineer. She completed a record four spacewalks in a single mission. In 2012, Williams commanded Expedition 33 after launching from Kazakhstan. She led critical repairs on the space station during that mission. Most recently, she flew aboard Boeing’s Starliner in June 2024. She later returned to Earth in March 2025 on SpaceX Crew-9, once again serving as ISS commander for Expedition 72.
