Washington: Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams is poised to embark on her third spaceflight, marking a significant milestone in her illustrious career. At 58 years old, Williams will serve as the pilot for Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which is scheduled for launch from Cape Canaveral in Florida.
Mission Overview
The upcoming mission will see the Starliner spacecraft carry Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore to the International Space Station (ISS). This flight is particularly noteworthy as it represents a potential turning point for Boeing’s space program, which has faced numerous challenges and delays. The spacecraft is set to lift off at 10:34 pm local time on Monday (8:04 pm IST on Tuesday).
Preparation and Anticipation
In a statement to the BBC, Williams expressed readiness and excitement for the mission: “We are all here because we are all ready. Our friends and allies have heard about it and we’ve talked about it and they’re happy and proud that we’re part of the process.” The mission’s success could position Boeing alongside SpaceX as one of the private companies capable of launching crew to the ISS and back.
Historical Context
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson highlighted the significance of the Starliner mission in a press conference on March 22, stating, “History is going to be made. We are in the golden age of space exploration.”
Williams’ Spaceflight Experience
Williams, selected by NASA as an astronaut in 1988, has two space missions under her belt. She served as a flight engineer on Expedition 32 and commander of Expedition 33. Her first spaceflight commenced on December 9, 2006, with the STS-116 crew, and she arrived at the ISS two days later.
Record-Breaking Achievements
During her initial mission, Williams set a world record for women with four spacewalks totaling 29 hours and 17 minutes. This record was later surpassed by astronaut Peggy Whitson in 2008. Williams’ second mission began on July 14, 2012, from Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, alongside Russian Soyuz commander Yuri Malenchenko and JAXA flight engineer Akihiko Hoshide.
Research and Exploration
Williams dedicated four months to research and exploration while aboard the orbiting laboratory. She returned to Kazakhstan on November 18, 2012, after 127 days in space. During this mission, Williams and Hoshide performed three spacewalks and successfully repaired an ammonia leak from the station’s radiator. Williams reclaimed the world record for the longest spacewalk by a female astronaut with a cumulative spacewalk time of 50 hours and 40 minutes.
With a total of 322 days spent in space, Sunita Williams is a testament to human endurance and the spirit of exploration. Her upcoming third mission is not just a personal achievement but a beacon of progress in the ongoing journey of space discovery.
