Key Takeaways

• So, I did the job of replacing the reflector by bending my head on one side for over 1.5 hours.
• We used to watch Star Trek on black & white TV.
• After I did my schooling and graduated, my brother pushed me to join the military and, thereafter, I became a Navy officer,” she said.

Key Development 1

NewsIndia NewsFirst thing I did after reaching space was to locate countries of my father, mother; I missed meeting Grp Capt Shukla on ISS who came after I left: Sunita WilliamsTrendingNitin NabinWPL 2026RRB Group d recruitmentWPL Schedule 2026IBPS Clerk Prelims resultICC Mens T20 WC 2026 ScheduleGovernor R N RaviBengaluru WeatherNitin NabinWPL 2026RRB Group d recruitmentWPL Schedule 2026IBPS Clerk Prelims resultICC Mens T20 WC 2026 ScheduleGovernor R N RaviBengaluru WeatherNitin NabinWPL 2026RRB Group d recruitmentWPL Schedule 2026IBPS Clerk Prelims resultICC Mens T20 WC 2026 ScheduleGovernor R N RaviBengaluru WeatherFirst thing I did after reaching space was to locate countries of my father, mother; I missed meeting Grp Capt Shukla on ISS who came after I left: Sunita WilliamsSurendra Singh / TNN / Jan 21, 2026, 04:38 ISTCommentsShareAA+Text SizeSmallMediumLarge NEW DELHI: “When I reached International Space Station for the first time, the first thing I did was to locate India (on Earth), from where my father belonged to, and Slovenia, from where my mother belonged,” stated Indian American astronaut Sunita Williams in Delhi on Tuesday — the only female astronaut who has now set the world record for most cumulative spacewalking time by a woman with a total of 62 hours and 6 minutes.

During her lifetime, Williams went to space three times as a Nasa astronaut, totalling 608 days in space.Williams’s father, Deepak Pandya, is from Jhulasan village in Gujarat’s Mehsana district, where he was born before migrating to the US.

It means there are opportunities for people to work in so many different companies— not only rockets and spacecraft, but parts of space, experiments, satellites, and 3D printing of metals,” she said.“In my childhood, I never dreamt of becoming an astronaut.

To cheer her at the Delhi event was the mother of another Indian-American astronaut, Kalpana Chawla, who died in the Space Shuttle Columbia crash in 2003.

Key Development 2

She ran on a treadmill aboard the ISS, finishing in 4 hours and 24 minutes while her sister and others ran on Earth.Recalling her most difficult space job, Williams stated she went for a spacewalk after the Starliner faced a technical issue and returned to Earth and the Dragon spacecraft was docking at ISS.

So, I did the job of replacing the reflector by bending my head on one side for over 1.5 hours.

I was glad to also receive 3D printed models of my dogs on ISS.” In Nasa circles, Williams was called the ‘samosa astronaut’, as she liked carrying samosas to space.An athlete since childhood, Williams wanted to participate in a marathon.

We used to watch Star Trek on black & white TV.

Key Development 3

After I did my schooling and graduated, my brother pushed me to join the military and, thereafter, I became a Navy officer,” she said.

So that is how I decided to run a marathon in space,” she revealed.

“When I reached the ISS, I was craving for Indian food.

After I returned to my space cabin, I faced neck cramps the whole time.” Williams, during her extended 9-month stay on ISS, conducted along with her crew over 150 scientific experiments and technological demonstrations, accumulating more than 900 hours of research across various fields like space gardening, microgravity biology, and water recovery systems.The Nasa astronaut stated the perception about life on Earth changes when people go to space.

Key Development 4

Nicknamed ‘Suni’ or ‘Soncka’ in Slovenia, Williams was born in the US state of Ohio and has now an elder brother, Jay Thomas, and a sister, Dina Ann.“Though I spent nine months in space during my latest trip to the ISS, I missed meeting Group Captain Subhanshu Shukla who reached the station just after I left,” Williams stated during an interactive session, 'Eyes on the Stars, Feet on the Ground' at American Center here.

“Commercialisation of space is great.

During her last trip to space before hanging her astronaut suit, Williams went to ISS in 2024 for a scheduled 8-day space trip but had to spend 9 months on ISS as the Boeing Starliner that took her to ISS malfunctioned and had to return empty-handed.

Williams ran the Boston Marathon in space in 2007 after qualifying by running the Houston Marathon in 2006, marking the first time a marathon was completed in orbit.

Key Development 5

Williams, wearing a trademark deep blue space overalls and sporting a pair of space-themed canvas shoes, stepped off the dais and reached out to Chawla’s mother, Sanyogita Chawla, 90, who was sitting in the front row, and gave her a warm hug.When asked about the renewed global interest in the Moon, Williams acknowledged the existence of a modern “space race”.

I was delighted to see that somebody sent me an Indian dish (in the food cargo) though others were making faces.

“While I was replacing a defected reflector, I had ensured that the Dragon capsule was not damaged with my steel helmet.

“So, my sister told me, ‘I is expected to run on your behalf on the ground and you run in space.

Key Development 6

Williams had logged more than 3,000 flight hours in more than 30 types of aircraft during her career in the US Navy before donning the astronaut suit.

We want to do this in a productive, democratic way, much like Antarctica,” she said.Williams asserted that the horizon of space exploration is rapidly expanding beyond traditional boundaries, stating that the commercialisation of space is creating unprecedented opportunities for innovation.

While flying aircraft as a Navy commander, I then wished that I should go to the Moon.

However, the 60-year-old was seen in high spirits in Delhi on Tuesday, guiding and inspiring Indian students to join the space sector.

Key Development 7

“I think there is a space race going on.

We want to get back to the moon sustainably and start the conversation about rules of engagement— how we actually work together with other countries.

Her mother, Ursuline Bonnie Pandya, is of Slovenian-American descent.

India’s Group Capt Shukla went to space as part of the Axiom mission on June 25, 2025.Williams faced several health issues after returning to Earth after remaining in zero gravity for a long time.

Key Development 8

From then on, I pursued the career of an astronaut,” Williams recalled.

Later, SpaceX's Dragon brought Williams and her crewmate Butch Wilmore back to Earth on March 18, 2025, with the duo ending up spending 286 days in space.

“I am married and I argue with my husband like other couples do.

But after reaching space (seeing the vast expanse of universe), I used to wonder why we argue (on minor issues) at all,” she said, adding, “The first thing I ate after returning to Earth was the bread my husband baked for me.”End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosSatya Nadella Recounts 2023 Story Of Indian Farmer Leveraging AI Bot For SubsidiesPolice Arrest MZ Wiztown Owner Abhay Kumar Over Noida Techie Yuvraj Mehta’s DeathOwaisi Defends Hijab-Clad PM Dream, Says Constitution Allows It77th Republic Day Parade to Witness Debut of DRDO’s Hypersonic Anti-Ship MissilePM Modi Endorses Nitin Nabin As New BJP Chief; 200% Trump Tariff On French Champagne?One Year Of Trump 2.0: How India-US Ties Went From Strategic Ties To Strategic Stress In 12 MonthsInside Jaish’s Kargil-Style Terror Bunker In J&K Where Maggi, Rice, Gas And Grenades Were StockedEU Puts India At Core Of Historic Trade Reset At Davos, Ursula Leyen Terms It 'Mother Of All Deals'PM Modi Says Parties Shielding Illegal Immigrants Must Be Exposed, Calls It a National ThreatFrom Karyakarta To Party President: Nitin Nabin Becomes BJP's Youngest-Ever Chief123PhotostoriesLesser-known facts about Brooklyn Beckham'A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms': Everything to know about the new Westeros spin-offHow to make Punjabi Lobia Masala for dinner at home‘Jana Nayagan’: Everything to know about trailer, posters, cast and more of Thalapathy Vijay’s starrer amid CBFC delayTop 10 countries with the highest government debtFrom Nimona to Samosa: 9 delicious local dishes made with Green Peas5 reasons you could be on the next layoff list of your companyBaby names as beautiful as a melody‘Sheila Ki Jawani’, ‘Munni Badnaam Hui’, ‘Baby Doll’: Bollywood item songs that broke the internet with their zany lyricsRanbir Kapoor's ‘Badtameez Dil’ to Nora Fatehi's 'Dilbar': Iconic dance steps from Bollywood songs everyone still tries to copy123Hot PicksSilver price todayBudget 2026Karnataka DGP ScandalGold price predictionNitin NabinPublic holidays January 2026Bank Holidays JanuaryTop TrendingMatthew StaffordKyle Larson and Katelyn Sweet Net WorthKlay ThompsonElina Svitolina and Gael Monfils Net WorthShane Lowry Net WorthTom BradyPaul Scholes and Claire Froggatt Net WorthJohn Harbaughs WifeNHL TradeKelly PiquetTired of too many ads?go ad free nowTrending StoriesIn IndiaEntire WebsiteED writes to Tamil Nadu govt seeking FIR against ministerCAT quashes CBIC charges against Sameer WankhedeUS ambassador Sergio Gor: is expected to ensure senior US officials visit India regularlyVinod Tawde to be BJP's Kerala poll in-chargeCongress slams BJP: You pick president first, then say there’s a pollRule change: Lok Sabha MPs can mark attendance only from their seatsOn Day 1, Nitin Nabin targets rivals in poll-bound TNSIR: WB deadline may be extended by 10 daysDGCA: IndiGo has now pledged not to cancel flightsPolice summonses to journos a 'new low', say J&K partiesKobe Bryant's wife Vanessa Bryant melts hearts with emotional birthday tribute to daughter Natalia while honoring the late NBA legendMatthew Stafford’s wife and four daughters wow Chicago crowds with synchronized Rams fashion flairMiami Heat vs Sacramento Kings (01-20-2026) game preview: When and where to watch, expected lineup, injury report, prediction, and morePhoenix Suns vs Philadelphia 76ers injury report: Injured and questionable players, head-to-head records, team stats, and more (January 20, 2026)Dan Lanning is on high alert after Lane Kiffin’s bold push for Jordan Seaton shakes transfer raceShane Lowry’s net worth: The relentless rise of Ireland’s major championPaul Scholes and Claire Froggatt combined net worth: Old Trafford success, contract details, lifestyle, and moreTom Brady’s stunned reaction to Fernando Mendoza captures Raiders’ growing interest amid early draft talkNHL Trade Buzz: Insiders speculate Detroit Red Wings to target New York Rangers star Artemi Panarin50 Maggi packets, 20kg rice, veggies, LPG cylinders: JeM’s winter bunker unearthed during Kishtwar encounter; terrorists stocked up for monthsTired of too many ads?go ad free nowDaily PuzzlesConnectThe Perfect TracePlay Now Loop the LoopPuzzle CircuitPlay Now Location GuesserGuess the SpotPlay Now Explore More Puzzles

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