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The Woman Who Goes to Space Again:  Sunita Williams

Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams made her mark as a U.S. Navy officer in space. Born Sept. 19, 1965, in Euclid, Ohio, she is the first woman to spend 322 days in space over two missions. As a trailblazer in the fields of space travel, engineering and leadership, her accomplishments have inspired millions around the globe.

Pathway to Becoming an Astronaut

Williams went on to work in engineering and aviation and graduated with a Physical Science degree from the U.S. Naval Academy, with a Master’s degree in Engineering Management. She was a Navy test pilot when she was chosen as a NASA astronaut in 1998.


Discovery of Features of Space Missions
Expedition 14/15 (2006-2007)

Space Shuttle Discovery (STS-116) was Williams’ first spaceflight, launching to the International
Space Station (ISS) on Dec. 9, 2006. During this mission, she:
Spent 195 days in space, then a record for longest spaceflight by a woman.
Eight spacewalks, totaling 29 hours and 17 minutes.
“Space Marathon” — Ran the Boston Marathon from space, using a treadmill aboard the ISS.

Expedition 32/33 (2012)

Her second mission was launched on July 14, 2012, onboard Soyuz TMA-05M. She logged 127 days in space and became the second woman ever to command the ISS. During the ISS portion of her mission, Williams contributed to space science and performed important research and maintenance aboard the space station.

Next mission: Boeing Starliner

Sunita Williams: So, I’m going to another historic mission as part of the NASA Commercial Crew Program. She will travel on Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner, one of a new generation of spacecraft built for human spaceflight, to pave the way for future missions to Mars and other deep-space destinations.

Inspiration and Legacy

Sunita Williams' commitment, fortitude, and pioneering accomplishments serve as an inspiration to young scientists, engineers, and would-be astronauts, and women in STEM fields in particular. Her journey is a testament to hard work and determination, proving that with grit and passion, anything is possible in the realm of space travel

From the seas to the stars, Sunita Williams has shown that the sky's no limit! 🌍✨