Indian-origin astronaut Captain Sunita Williams, renowned for her space escapades and love for samosas, is poised to etch her name in the annals of space history once again. Williams, a veteran of two space missions, is all set to embark on a groundbreaking journey aboard the Boeing Starliner spacecraft on May 7, 2024, from the Kennedy Space Center.
Williams will be the first woman to fly on the maiden mission of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, marking a significant milestone in space exploration. Despite her previous achievements, she remains humble and unphased by the prospect of flying in a new spacecraft.
Having spent a cumulative total of 322 days in space across two missions, Williams is no stranger to space exploration. Notably, she holds the record for maximum spacewalk time by a female astronaut, with 50 hours and 40 minutes logged across seven spacewalks.
Before her upcoming flight, Williams revealed her plan to carry a statue of Lord Ganesh, her good luck charm, aboard the commercial crew flight. She expressed her spiritual connection and happiness in having Lord Ganesh accompany her in outer space, alongside her previous tradition of carrying copies of the Bhagavad Gita.
Williams’ inclusion in the maiden flight of the Boeing Starliner not only showcases her prowess as an astronaut but also underscores her involvement in the spacecraft’s development alongside Boeing and NASA engineers. With her fingerprints all over the project, Williams is poised to create history once again.
Dr. M Mohan, head of ISRO’s Human Space Flight Center, expressed pride in Williams’ achievements, wishing her success on her milestone journey to space. Williams will be flying alongside veteran astronaut Barry Eugene “Butch” Wilmore, with both astronauts launching on a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket to the International Space Station.
Williams’ days in space will be filled with flying routines and activities as she participates in testing and certifying the new spacecraft. With Lord Ganesh by her side, she remains optimistic about the success of the mission and looks forward to interacting with school children from aboard the space station.
As the launch date approaches, excitement and anticipation mount for Sunita Williams’ historic journey aboard the Boeing Starliner. Her pioneering spirit, coupled with her dedication to space exploration, continues to inspire generations worldwide.