After a distinguished 27-year career and spending a record 608 days in space, veteran astronaut Sunita Williams is preparing to step into retirement. In an exclusive interaction with India Today, the former NASA astronaut introduced herself simply as “Suni Williams” — the name her mother still uses.
Williams, who holds the record for the longest cumulative spacewalk time by a woman, spoke candidly about the emotional strain of her unexpected nine-month stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS). The extended mission followed technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, leaving her and her crewmates in orbit far longer than planned.
Recalling the experience, Williams said the most difficult part was not safety but uncertainty. “Not knowing when you’re coming back — that’s the hardest thing,” she said, adding that the situation took a significant emotional toll on her family back on Earth.
She described the period as an emotional rollercoaster and spoke about the physical challenges of readjusting to gravity after nearly a year in space. Williams said she had to consciously relearn simple movements, including walking, as she had neither sat nor lain down for months while in microgravity.
The paw prints and pilot roots
Beyond her achievements at NASA, Williams described herself as a former US Navy helicopter pilot, a competitive swimmer and an avid animal lover. She shared the story behind the paw-print tattoos on her body, explaining that they are a tribute to her late Jack Russell Terrier, who was a constant companion during her training years and even travelled with her to Russia.
“Animals are genuine and pure,” Williams said, adding that people could learn from their unfiltered joy and loyalty.
A bond with Kalpana Chawla’s family
One of the most emotional moments of the conversation came when Williams spoke about her close bond with the late astronaut Kalpana Chawla. She confirmed that she stayed with Chawla’s family for three months following the 2003 Columbia disaster.
Describing Chawla’s mother as “amazing,” Williams said the time spent together was deeply cathartic. She added that it was important for the family to know that the astronaut community would continue to honour and carry forward Kalpana Chawla’s legacy.
‘Crazy hair’ and life in orbit
On a lighter note, Williams addressed comments made by former US President Donald Trump about her “crazy hair” in space. She explained that her choice to leave her hair natural was practical, as dyeing or tying it could introduce chemicals into the tightly controlled environment of the space station.
Despite her reputation for fearlessness, Williams admitted she is not immune to fear. She said she has always been uncomfortable with darkness and maintains a healthy respect for the wild spaces she calls home.
As she steps away from active service, Williams reflected on a career that not only helped build the International Space Station but also laid the groundwork for future generations aiming to live and work on the Moon.