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LEGENDActiveNASA
LEGENDActiveNASANASA·🇺🇸 United States·Born 1965
Sunita Williams
Most EVAs by a woman (9) and most cumulative EVA time by a woman
1.3y
Years in Space
3
Missions
7
EVAs
50h
EVA Time
I think we're explorers — that's what we do.
If you have a dream, don't just sit there. Gather courage to believe that you can succeed and leave no stone unturned to make it a reality.
Inspirations
John Young
What they aspire to
She hopes to see humans return to the Moon and travel onward to Mars, and to inspire young women in India and the U.S. to pursue STEM.
Biography
Holds the record for most EVA time by a female astronaut. Made history on Boeing's first crewed Starliner mission.
Before NASAU.S. Navy helicopter test pilot who flew over 30 different aircraft and supported relief operations during Hurricane Andrew before being selected by NASA in 1998.
Records & Firsts
Notable accomplishments by Sunita Williams
- Most EVAs by a woman (9) and most cumulative EVA time by a woman
- First commander of Boeing Starliner crewed flight (2024)
- Ran the first marathon in space (2007)
Mission Timeline
- Pilot / Commander Expedition 72
Boeing CST-100 Starliner Calypso (launched), SpaceX Crew Dragon Freedom (returned)
Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test / Expedition 71/72
Launch: Jun 5, 2024Landing: Mar 18, 2025Duration: 286 days- Originally 8-day test flight extended to ~9 months
- Returned aboard SpaceX Crew-9 Dragon
Beyond the Mission
Hobbies & Interests
runningswimmingbikingtriathlons
Causes They Champion
Special OlympicsSTEM educationIndo-American cultural ties
Languages
EnglishRussianSlovenian
Awards & Honors
- Navy Commendation Medal
- Humanitarian Service Medal
- Padma Bhushan (India)
- NASA Spaceflight Medal
Fun fact
She ran the Boston Marathon from orbit on a treadmill aboard the ISS in 2007, finishing in 4 hours 24 minutes.
Item flown to space
A copy of the Bhagavad Gita and a small statue of Ganesha.
Learn More
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