Image shows astronaut Suni Williams exiting the SpaceX Dragon capsule off the coast of Florida on March 18, 2025.
The US space agency (NASA) announced on Tuesday that American astronaut Suni Williams, whose space mission was extended from eight days to nine months due to technical failures, retired in December.
Williams, along with her colleague Butch Wilmore, became known after their mission to the International Space Station, initially scheduled for eight days in June 2024, was extended to over nine months. This duration far exceeds the typical mission length, which usually does not exceed six months.
Their return from the International Space Station was delayed due to problems with the propulsion system of the Boeing Starliner spacecraft, which was supposed to bring them back to Earth. The spacecraft was on its first crewed flight.
These circumstances led NASA to decide to return the spacecraft empty to Earth and bring the two astronauts back via another spacecraft from SpaceX, owned by billionaire Elon Musk.
The astronauts were finally able to return to Earth in March 2025 after 286 days in space.
A pioneer in crewed spaceflight
Suni Williams (60) joined NASA in 1998. NASA’s director described her in a statement as a “pioneer in crewed spaceflight” who “helped shape the future of space exploration through her leadership aboard the International Space Station,” which orbits Earth at an altitude of 400,000 meters.
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Williams participated in three missions aboard the International Space Station, the first of which was in 2006.
NASA stated that Williams spent 608 days in space during her career, representing the second-longest total duration spent in space by any person in NASA’s history.
She also holds the record for the longest spacewalks, totaling 62 hours and six minutes, which is the fourth-longest time for any NASA astronaut.
NASA
NASA, or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, is the United States government agency responsible for the nation’s civilian space program and aerospace research. It was established in 1958 in response to the Soviet Union’s launch of Sputnik, marking the beginning of the U.S.-Soviet space race. NASA is renowned for landmark achievements like the Apollo moon landings and the Space Shuttle program.
Suni Williams
Suni Williams is not a place or cultural site, but a NASA astronaut of Slovenian and Indian descent. She holds the record for the most spacewalk time by a woman and has served on both the International Space Station and the Space Shuttle missions.
SpaceX Dragon capsule
The SpaceX Dragon capsule is a reusable spacecraft developed by the private company SpaceX, first launched in 2010. It made history as the first commercial vehicle to deliver cargo to the International Space Station (ISS) and later became the first commercial spacecraft to carry astronauts there in 2020.
Florida
Florida is a southeastern U.S. state known for its extensive coastline, warm climate, and cultural diversity. Historically, it was first colonized by Spain in the 16th century, later transferred to Britain, then returned to Spain before becoming a U.S. territory in 1821 and the 27th state in 1845. Its modern identity is heavily shaped by tourism, space exploration at Cape Canaveral, and a vibrant mix of Latin American and Caribbean influences.
International Space Station
The International Space Station (ISS) is a habitable artificial satellite in low Earth orbit, representing a collaborative project among space agencies from the United States, Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada. Its first module was launched in 1998, and it has been continuously occupied by rotating crews since November 2000, serving as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory.
Boeing Starliner spacecraft
The Boeing Starliner is a reusable crew capsule designed to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station. Its development began under NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, with its first uncrewed orbital test flight occurring in 2019 and its first crewed test mission launching in 2024.
Earth
Earth is the third planet from the Sun and the only known astronomical object to harbor life, with a geological history spanning over 4.5 billion years. Its surface features diverse ecosystems and has been the exclusive home of human civilization, which has developed a vast array of cultures and societies across all continents.
SpaceX
SpaceX, or Space Exploration Technologies Corp., is a private American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company founded in 2002 by entrepreneur Elon Musk. Its history is defined by pioneering reusable rocket technology, drastically reducing the cost of access to space, and achieving milestones like being the first private company to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station.
Elon Musk
Elon Musk is a South African-born entrepreneur and business magnate known for founding or leading companies such as SpaceX, Tesla, and X (formerly Twitter). His career is defined by a focus on advancing technologies like electric vehicles, private space exploration, and neural interfaces.
