Sunita "Suni" Williams and Butch Wilmore are making their long-awaited return to Earth aboard a SpaceX capsule, concluding a mission that stretched far beyond its intended duration.
NASA’s stranded astronauts are finally on their way home, bringing an end to a dramatic nine-month ordeal that began with a troubled Boeing test flight. The duo bid an emotional farewell to the International Space Station (ISS), their home since June 2024, before embarking on a journey that epitomises resilience in the face of adversity.
The SpaceX capsule undocked in the early hours of March 18 and is targeting a splashdown off Florida’s coast by March 19, weather permitting.
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A test flight gone wrong
Williams and Wilmore were initially set to return just a week after launching aboard Boeing's new Starliner capsule on June 5, 2024. However, what was meant to be a routine test flight turned into an odyssey.
Starliner suffered multiple technical failures, including thruster malfunctions and helium leaks, forcing NASA to send it back empty in September 2024. With no immediate way home, Williams and Wilmore remained on the ISS until SpaceX could step in. Their return was first delayed to February 2025, then pushed to March due to further setbacks with the SpaceX capsule.
Their relief crew—NASA’s Nick Hague and Russia’s Alexander Gorbunov—finally arrived on March 16, allowing NASA to seize an early departure window before weather conditions worsened. As Williams and Wilmore handed over duties to Hague and Gorbunov, who had arrived the previous autumn with empty seats reserved for them, they closed a chapter defined by perseverance and ingenuity.
The making of a space legend
At 59, Sunita Williams is an astronaut of remarkable stature, her name etched in the annals of space exploration. A former US Navy officer and veteran astronaut, she is one of the most accomplished spacewalkers in history, with hundreds of days in orbit and nine extravehicular activities (EVAs) to her name.
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Born on September 19, 1965 in Euclid, Ohio, and raised in Needham, Massachusetts, Williams blends her Indian-Slovenian heritage with an insatiable curiosity for the cosmos.
Her father, Deepak Pandya, a neuroanatomist from Gujarat, India, and her mother, Ursuline Bonnie Pandya, of Slovenian descent, nurtured her adventurous spirit alongside her siblings, Jay Thomas and Dina Anand.
Proud of her multicultural roots, Williams has carried symbols of her heritage to space—including samosas, a Slovenian flag, and traditional sausage—tiny yet meaningful reminders of home.
A military career forged in resilience
Williams’ journey to space began in the US Navy. Commissioned in 1987, she trained as a helicopter pilot by 1989, serving in key operations in the Mediterranean, Red Sea, and Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Shield and Operation Provide Comfort. She later participated in disaster relief efforts following Hurricane Andrew in 1992.
As a test pilot and instructor at the US Naval Test Pilot School, she logged over 3,000 flight hours across 30 aircraft. By the time she retired in 2017, she had earned numerous commendations for her service.
Breaking barriers at NASA
In 1998, Williams joined NASA, training at the Johnson Space Center for a career that would redefine human spaceflight. She launched on her first mission on 9 December 2006 aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery, joining ISS Expeditions 14 and 15.
During this mission, she performed her first spacewalk—though not without incident, as a camera floated free into space. On April 16, 2007, she became the first person to run a marathon in space, completing the Boston Marathon on an ISS treadmill in 4 hours and 24 minutes.
Her second spaceflight, launched aboard a Russian Soyuz spacecraft on July 15, 2012, saw her command Expedition 33—making her only the second woman to lead the ISS. She oversaw station operations, completed a triathlon in orbit, and captured a now-iconic image appearing to “touch” the Sun during a spacewalk. She returned to Earth on November 19, 2012, landing in Kazakhstan after four months in space.
Spacewalking into history
Williams is one of the most accomplished spacewalkers of all time. She has completed nine EVAs, logging a total of 62 hours and 6 minutes outside the ISS. Her missions included repairing solar arrays and troubleshooting equipment in the unforgiving vacuum of space.
While she holds the women’s record for most spacewalking hours, Peggy Whitson remains the record-holder for most spacewalks by a woman, with 10. Williams, however, is close behind.
The challenge of Starliner
In 2015, NASA selected Williams for its Commercial Crew Program, a groundbreaking initiative partnering with Boeing and SpaceX to privatise space travel. Assigned to Boeing’s CST-100 Starliner, she launched on 5 June 2024—only to find herself caught in the programme’s biggest test yet.
Her return has been repeatedly delayed due to Starliner’s technical issues. NASA’s decision to rely on SpaceX for her homecoming underscores the high stakes of commercial spaceflight—and Williams’ adaptability in the face of uncertainty.
A legacy written in the stars
Williams’ contributions to space exploration have been recognised with numerous awards, including:
- Defence Superior Service Medal
- Legion of Merit
- Navy Commendation Medal
- Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
- NASA Spaceflight Medal
- Russia’s Medal “For Merit in Space Exploration”
- India’s Padma Bhushan
- Slovenia’s Golden Order for Merits
- An honorary doctorate from Gujarat Technological University
- The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Vishwa Pratibha Award
Each honour reflects her extraordinary contributions to science, spaceflight, and global collaboration.
The person behind the astronaut
Beyond her historic achievements, Williams leads a life of discipline and passion. Married to Michael J. Williams, a federal police officer, she is an avid runner, swimmer, and cyclist. She has even taken her love for dogs to space, carrying a photo of her pet on missions.
Her spiritual outlook, deeply influenced by Hinduism and a universal reverence for discovery, has guided her through the isolation of orbit and the challenges of deep space.
As she prepares for splashdown, Sunita Williams remains a symbol of courage and perseverance. From her small-town upbringing to the heights of space, her story proves that with determination and curiosity, the sky is never the limit.
You can follow our live blog for the latest details on her descent to Earth.
