Sunita Williams, the famous American astronaut of Indian origin, retired after an illustrious career of 27 years. Retirement from space missions Have taken. American space agency NASA said that his retirement became effective on December 27, 2025, i.e. immediately after Christmas. But before his retirement, one statement caught the attention of the world. In this she had said jokingly, ‘My husband will kill me’.

After all, what was Sunita Williams afraid of and why did she say goodbye to the space mission, let us understand.

Actually, in June 2024, Sunita Williams’ mission from Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft was to be for only 8 days. This was the first crewed mission of Starliner and was being seen as a test flight. But due to technical glitches the mission could not be completed on time. The situation became such that the Starliner returned without a crew and Sunita Williams had to stay at the International Space Station (ISS).

Was Sunita Williams trapped in the space station?

This 8-day mission grew to more than 9 months. During this time, discussion started on social media and some international media whether Sunita Williams is ‘trapped’ in space. In a conversation with the English website NDTV, when she was asked whether she felt trapped, she clearly said, ‘I don’t feel like that myself. I have full faith in the process… how we build the spacecraft, how we launch it and how we take decisions.

Even NASA does not consider this mission a failure. According to the agency, the problems encountered in the Starliner mission proved to be an important lesson for future commercial space missions. Sunita herself said that she already knew that this was a test flight and there could be problems. In such a situation, becoming a part of the ISS crew was part of the plan.

‘My husband will kill me’

Meanwhile, when he was asked that NASA is preparing to send a human mission to the moon. Would she also want to go on this mission? So on this Sunita Williams laughed lightly and said, ‘Of course I would like to go to the moon. But my husband will kill me.

Sunita Williams’ statement was an emotional, but humorous response to her family’s concerns and the uncertainty of the mission. This makes it clear that Sunita Williams was neither nervous nor considered herself helpless.

Many records registered in the name of Sunita Williams

On her retirement, NASA Administrator said that Sunita Williams has been a pioneer of human space flight. His leadership not only opened the way for commercial missions to low-Earth orbit, but also laid the foundation for progress towards the Moon and Mars through the Artemis mission.

Sunita Williams, selected for NASA in 1998, spent a total of 608 days in space in three space missions, which is the second highest figure for any NASA astronaut. During this period, he did 9 spacewalks, the total duration of which was 62 hours 6 minutes. This is the biggest record made by any female astronaut. She also became the first person in the world to run a marathon in space.

Why did Sunita Williams retire?

Their final mission was completed with return to Earth in March 2025. After this he decided that now the time has come to open the way for the new generation of astronauts. Sunita herself says that space has been her ‘favorite place’, but now her role will remain as an inspiration in the human missions moving towards the Moon and Mars.

Sunita Williams, daughter of her father who hails from Mehsana district of Gujarat, has today become not just an astronaut but an example of courage, trust and scientific dedication. His retirement is not the result of any fear, but the story of an honorable closing of a glorious chapter.



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