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Sunita Williams' Zero Gravity Dance Marks Arrival at Space Station

Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams achieves a groundbreaking milestone as she pilots the Boeing Starliner capsule alongside crewmate Barry Wilmore on its inaugural crewed test flight to the International Space Station 

07-06-2024
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Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams showcased her jubilation as the Boeing Starliner capsule, transporting her and crewmate Barry "Butch" Wilmore, securely linked with the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday.

Williams made history as the first woman to pilot a novel spacecraft on its maiden crewed voyage to space. Departing from Cape Canaveral, Florida on June 5, the 58-year-old embarked on the Boeing Starliner alongside Wilmore, a seasoned NASA astronaut.

In a captivating video shared by Boeing Space on X, Williams emerges from the capsule, gracefully dances in zero gravity, and embraces fellow astronauts aboard the ISS.

Dubbed the Boeing Crew Flight Test (CFT), this mission is pivotal in certifying the Starliner for regular crewed journeys to the ISS under NASA's Commercial Crew Program. A successful outcome would position Starliner as the second private spacecraft, following SpaceX's Crew Dragon, to ferry astronauts to and from the orbiting lab.

For Williams, a veteran of two prior space shuttle missions totaling 322 days in orbit, this flight marks yet another milestone in her illustrious career.

Renowned for setting records in spacewalks (seven) and spacewalk time (50 hours, 40 minutes) by a woman during her ISS expeditions in 2006-2007 and 2012, Williams continues to inspire.

Remaining docked with the ISS for approximately 26 hours post-launch, the Starliner capsule carries Williams, Wilmore, and over 500 pounds of cargo for the orbital outpost.

Scheduled to spend roughly a week aboard the station, the astronauts will conduct tests and validate Starliner's systems before their return to Earth for a parachute-assisted landing in the western United States.

Williams's accomplishment resonates deeply given her Indian-Slovenian heritage. With an Indian-American father from Gujarat and a Slovenian-American mother, she proudly showcases her multicultural background by carrying Indian and Slovenian items during her previous spaceflights.

As Williams and Wilmore execute operations aboard the ISS, their groundbreaking journey aboard Starliner signifies a significant stride in expanding humanity's reach into space through commercial collaborations.

It solidifies Williams' legacy as one of the most distinguished women in the annals of space exploration.

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