Sunita Williams Reflects on Life in Space

Despite the challenges, Williams recently shared her experience in a virtual interview with students from Needham High School, where she graduated in 1983.

Responding to a question about microgravity, she described the sensation as feeling like swimming or flying.

“I’ve been up here long enough now that I’ve been trying to remember what it’s like to walk. I haven’t walked. I haven’t sat down,” she explained. “I haven’t laid down. You don’t have to. You can just close your eyes and float where you are right here.”

She acknowledged that both she and Wilmore had expected their mission to last longer than eight days, but not by this much.

“It was a little bit of a shock, actually,” she admitted. “We knew that it would probably be a month or so, honestly. But the extended stay was just a little bit different.”

Williams Eager to Return Home

While she remains positive, Williams is eager to return to Earth, particularly to be closer to her family.

“My mother’s getting a little bit older, so in that regard, I just try to stay in touch with them as much as possible,” she shared. “I think I talk to my mom practically every day. Just check in with her and see how she’s doing. So it’s just a little bit different relationship than we had potentially planned on for the last couple of months. But we’re managing.”

Addressing Health Concerns

In November, Williams dismissed rumors that she had lost a significant amount of weight while in space. Speaking with New England Sports Network Clubhouse, she clarified that her weight remains the same as when she first launched.

She credited this to regular exercise, explaining that she and Wilmore have access to a treadmill and weightlifting equipment aboard the ISS, allowing them to stay in shape despite their extended stay in microgravity.