- globetrotter
- 31 Jan 2025
- #Science
Sunita Williams Breaks Spacewalking Record While Stranded on the ISS
NASA astronaut Sunita "Suni" Williams has set a new record for total spacewalking time by a female astronaut, surpassing Peggy Whitson's previous record of 60 hours and 21 minutes. Williams achieved this milestone during her ninth spacewalk on January 30, 2025, as she worked outside the International Space Station (ISS) to remove radio communications hardware and collect material samples. The historic event was livestreamed by NASA.
However, Williams' record-breaking achievement comes under unusual circumstances—she and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore have been stranded aboard the ISS since June 2024 after their Boeing Starliner spacecraft suffered mechanical failures, preventing their return. Originally planned as an eight-day mission, their stay has stretched to over seven months, making their time on the ISS one of the longest unintended space missions in recent history.
NASA is now collaborating with SpaceX to bring the astronauts home, with a return currently expected in late March or early April 2025. The extended mission has posed unique challenges for Williams and Wilmore, as prolonged exposure to microgravity affects the human body in ways that require significant readjustment upon returning to Earth.
Meanwhile, their situation has sparked political controversy, with Elon Musk announcing that SpaceX is working on their return and former President Donald Trump criticizing the Biden administration for allegedly leaving them stranded.
As Williams continues making history in space, the world watches closely for her long-awaited return to Earth.
