Recently retired NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams, speaking at the Kerala Literature Festival in Kozhikode on Thursday, shared her bittersweet feelings about the upcoming Artemis II Moon mission set for 2026. Despite her remarkable 27-year career logging 608 days in space—the second-highest for a NASA astronaut—she admitted to experiencing FOMO (fear of missing out) as her colleagues prepare for humanity’s first crewed lunar orbit since 1972. Williams, who has completed nine spacewalks totaling over 62 hours, described the Moon as her initial inspiration for joining NASA, but expressed excitement for her friends’ journey while planning her own Earth-bound explorations, including visits to Kerala.
Reflecting on her time in orbit, Williams recounted the profound awe of viewing Earth from space, the collaborative efforts in building the International Space Station (ISS), and the everyday earthly joys she missed—like feeling rain on her skin, wind on her face, sand underfoot, and the companionship of her dogs. She emphasized the emotional pain of being separated from the planet’s vibrant life, from people and animals to the natural world, underscoring her deep connection to Earth’s “heartbeat.” Williams also highlighted simple pleasures like video calls with family and staying updated on news, which helped bridge the isolation of space.
Williams, born to an Indian-origin father from Gujarat and a Slovenian mother, expressed heartfelt gratitude for India’s embrace as its “daughter.” She recalled initial skepticism when her father mentioned nationwide prayers for her safe return during her first mission, only to be moved by newspaper articles and stories from friends confirming the widespread support. A friend’s account of seeing her picture in a Himalayan elementary school particularly touched her, reinforcing the warmth and acceptance she felt from the country.
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Her career highlights include launching aboard Space Shuttle Discovery in 2006, a 127-day mission in 2012 as part of Expedition 32/33 where she commanded Expedition 33, and recent roles in NASA’s Starliner and Crew-9 missions. Now retired, Williams looks forward to filling her time with global travels, discovering places she admired from orbit. The four-day Kerala Literature Festival, featuring over 400 speakers including Nobel Laureates Abdulrazak Gurnah and Abhijit Banerjee, runs until January 25.
The event provided a fitting platform for Williams to share her journey, blending scientific achievements with personal reflections on humanity’s place in the cosmos and the irreplaceable beauty of life on Earth.
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