Indian-origin NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has taken command of the International Space Station. Originally on an eight-day mission, Williams’ stay was extended to over eight months due to technical issues with the Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
NASA recently confirmed that Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko passed the command of the space station to Williams during a ceremony aboard the station.
Kononenko, who has been on a year-long mission, is set to return to Earth with fellow astronauts Tracy C Dyson and Nikolai Chub.
Williams continues to work aboard the microgravity laboratory, contributing to scientific advancements and demonstrating technologies for future human and robotic missions.
NASA stated that “Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko handed over the command of the space station to Sunita Williams” as part of the station’s routine leadership transitions.