Astronaut Sunita Williams has made history by setting a new record for the longest cumulative spacewalk by a woman. After completing a five-hour and 26-minute spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS), her total spacewalking time reached an impressive 62 hours and six minutes. This achievement surpasses the previous record of 60 hours and 21 minutes, set by NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson in 2017.
During the mission, Sunita was accompanied by fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore. Together, they successfully removed a faulty radio communications unit on the ISS—an operation that had previously failed twice. Reflecting on the significance of the moment, Sunita remarked, “We know we are not the first or second people to walk in space, but this is a remarkable accomplishment.”
Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore had launched from Earth on June 5, 2024, aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft as part of a crucial test flight designed to transport humans to the ISS. Initially, their return was scheduled for June 13. However, technical issues, including thruster malfunctions and a helium leak, caused unexpected delays in their journey back to Earth.
Meanwhile, SpaceX founder Elon Musk revealed that former U.S. President Donald Trump had sought assistance for their safe return. NASA had partnered with SpaceX to resolve the complications and bring the astronauts home.
Sunita Williams’ achievement adds to her already distinguished career and marks another milestone for women in space exploration. Her record-breaking spacewalk highlights both the perseverance of astronauts and the ongoing advancements in space technology.
