NASA confirmed in a formal statement that Williams’ retirement became effective on December 27, 2025. Over the course of her illustrious career, she logged a total of 608 days in space, placing her second on the list of cumulative time in orbit by a NASA astronaut. Williams also holds the record for the most cumulative spacewalk time by a woman, having completed nine spacewalks totaling 62 hours and 6 minutes.
Her final mission was particularly notable for its unexpected challenges. Launched in June 2024 as part of the Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test, the mission was originally intended to last eight days. However, technical issues with the spacecraft extended her stay at the ISS to over nine months. During this time, she took command of the space station for Expedition 72 before eventually returning to Earth in March 2025 aboard a SpaceX Crew-9 capsule.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman praised Williams as a trailblazer whose leadership helped pave the way for the agency’s future commercial missions and the Artemis program. Isaacman noted that her work has laid the critical foundation for future human exploration of the Moon and Mars.
Reflecting on her journey during her visit to India, Williams described space as her “absolute favorite place to be” and expressed deep gratitude for the support of her colleagues throughout nearly three decades of service. Born in Ohio to a Gujarati father and a Slovenian mother, Williams has frequently highlighted her cultural heritage, famously carrying a copy of the Bhagavad Gita and a small idol of Lord Ganesha during her missions.
Beyond her records in orbit, Williams is remembered for her unique achievements, such as being the first person to run a marathon in space. A retired U.S. Navy captain and accomplished pilot with over 4,000 flight hours, she remains an inspiration for future generations of explorers worldwide. (PTI)
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