NASA astronaut Sunita 'Suni' Williams has etched her name in the annals of space exploration by breaking the record for total spacewalking time, previously held by former astronaut Peggy Whitson. This remarkable achievement occurred on January 30, 2025, during her latest spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS), where she surpassed Whitson's record of 60 hours and 21 minutes, accumulating 62 hours and 6 minutes of total spacewalking time.
The spacewalk commenced at approximately 8 am ET, as announced by NASA on social media, where they stated, "NASA astronaut Suni Williams just surpassed former astronaut Peggy Whitson’s total spacewalking time today. Suni is still outside in the vacuum of space removing radio communications hardware." During the approximately six-and-a-half hour endeavor, Williams was accompanied by astronaut Butch Wilmore, taking part in his fifth spacewalk.
This spacewalk was not just another routine mission; it was part of Expedition 72, which kicked off on September 23, 2024. The astronauts performed several key tasks including maintaining ISS hardware and collecting surface material samples for subsequent analysis. Specifically, both Williams and Wilmore were involved in removing various components like the radio frequency group antenna assembly from the ISS truss and samples from the Destiny laboratory and Quest airlock.
The duo's extended mission aboard the ISS has sparked some controversy, particularly around their delayed return to Earth. They initially arrived at the ISS in June 2024 as part of Boeing's Starliner mission. Unfortunately, due to technical issues with the spacecraft, their scheduled return was postponed. The issue caught the attention of high-profile figures, including SpaceX founder Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump. Musk criticized the Biden administration for the delays and called for quick action, stating, "SpaceX would soon launch a mission to safely repatriate the astronauts."
On the other hand, NASA has assured the public and the astronauts’ families of their safety throughout this period. Their current planned return with SpaceX is now set for the end of March 2025, after Williams and Wilmore have completed nearly 300 days on the ISS. Despite various public reactions portraying the astronauts as "stranded," NASA clarified, ensuring no danger was present, as alternative routes for their return were available at any time aboard SpaceX's Crew Dragon capsule.
Williams’ dedication to her mission work did not go unnoticed. NASA has commended the astronauts for their resilience and stressed the importance of their contributions, highlighting how their extended stay on the ISS is pivotal to operations and scientific research.
Reflecting on her record-breaking achievement, Williams' focus remains on the mission. "This milestone is the culmination of hard work and passion for space exploration. I'm glad to contribute to the important maintenance and advancements for the ISS," she mentioned upon breaking the record.
Now ranking fourth on NASA’s all-time list for spacewalking hours, Williams' accomplishment not only marks personal achievement but also signifies the advancements humans continue to make beyond our planet.
Overall, this milestone stands as yet another test of human endurance and technology's role within the awe-inspiring arena of space exploration, as both astronauts are set to complete their mission with valuable insights and contributions to the scientific community. Whether their extended duration leads to delays or questions of safety, their commitment is evident and unwavering.