How Sunita Williams’ 600 days in space inspired the world

When Sunita Lyn Williams pressed her thumb against the hatch of the International Space Station one last time in March 2025, she wasn’t just stepping toward Earth; she was closing a chapter in space history few could rival. After 27 years with Nasa and more than 600 days in orbit, Williams retired at the end of December 2025 with a record book full of firsts and few equals in human spaceflight.

Sunita was born in Ohio on September 19, 1965. Williams grew up far from the rocket pads and control rooms that would one day define her career. Her father was of Indian descent, her mother had Slovenian roots that gave her a global identity even before she left Earth’s atmosphere. After graduating from the US Naval Academy, she became a Navy helicopter pilot and later a test pilot, flying a variety of aircraft and logging thousands of flight hours.