Sunita Williams Pilot on Historic Starliner Spacecraft Calypso Mission

Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams is set to create history once again as the pilot aboard Boeing‘s Starliner spacecraft named Calypso on its first crewed test flight to the International Space Station (ISS).

Williams, alongside veteran astronaut Butch Wilmore, will embark on this significant journey from Cape Canaveral, marking a pivotal moment in space exploration.

The mission, scheduled for lift-off at 10:34 PM local time, signifies a major breakthrough for both Boeing and the US space agency NASA.

If successful, Starliner will join SpaceX as a provider of crew transport to and from the ISS, shaping a new era in space travel.

Developed under NASA’s Commercial Crew Programme, which aimed to have multiple private firms operating crewed space missions, Starliner’s mission has been years in the making.

Williams, a distinguished Ensign in the United States Navy, brings a wealth of experience to this mission, having been selected as an astronaut by NASA in 1998.

Her previous space missions, Expeditions 14/15 and 32/33, have showcased her exceptional skills and dedication to space exploration.

From her jaw-dropping spacewalk records to commanding Expedition 33, Williams has proven her ability to excel in the challenging environment of space.

During her space expeditions, including docking at the ISS and conducting crucial repairs, Williams has demonstrated her resilience and passion for advancing our understanding of the cosmos.

With a cumulative total of 322 days spent in space, Williams stands as a shining example of human achievement and determination in the realm beyond Earth.