Home / Science / Astronaut Sunitha Williams Retires After Starliner Ordeal
Astronaut Sunitha Williams Retires After Starliner Ordeal
21 Jan
Summary
- Astronaut Suni Williams retired after 27 years at NASA.
- She endured an extended stay on the ISS due to Starliner issues.
- Williams and Wilmore spent over 280 days in space.
Suni Williams, a distinguished astronaut, has retired from NASA after a remarkable 27-year career. Her time with the space agency concluded at the end of December. Williams' career was notably marked by an extended, unplanned stay aboard the International Space Station. This occurred due to technical problems with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft during its test flight last summer.
Initially slated for an eight-day mission, Williams and her crewmate spent over 280 days in space. NASA deemed it unsafe for the astronauts to return on the Starliner, which eventually returned to Earth unmanned in September 2024. A subsequent mission facilitated by NASA and SpaceX successfully brought the astronauts home in March 2025.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman lauded Williams as a "trailblazer in human spaceflight." Her contributions are seen as foundational for future Artemis missions to the Moon and Mars. Williams, originally from Needham, Massachusetts, is also an accomplished pilot and holds degrees in physical science and engineering management.
