For the Second Time in History Sunita Williams Takes Command of ISS

NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) astronaut and Indian Origin Sunita Williams has officially taken command of the International Space Station (ISS) as part of her extended mission aboard the orbiting laboratory. She is set to take command for the second time for ISS.

NASA Statement

NASA has announced that Russian cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko has handed over the command of the International Space Station to Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams in a ceremony.

Background

• Williams, along with fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore, has been on the station since June 5, 2024, after launching aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft for its first crewed flight.
• Sunita Williams and Vic Willmore had originally planned to stay on the ISS for eight days.
• But their return was canceled due to technical issues with the spacecraft. 
• They are now expected to return to Earth in February 2025.

Plan to Rescue

• The US space agency is planning to send the SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft for Williams and Wilmore’s safe journey back to Earth.

Sunita Williams An Experienced Astronaut

• Sunita Williams is once again in command of the International Space Station (ISS), amid her ongoing extended mission aboard the orbiting laboratory. 
• This marks her second stint as the leader of the ISS. She previously held the position during Expedition 33 in 2012. 
• She is a veteran astronaut with a long and impressive track record in space exploration.