NASA astronaut Sunita Williams briefly fulfills dream she shared in UAE

Dubai: When she finally reached back to Earth on Wednesday after an unexpected nine-month stay in space, veteran NASA astronaut Sunita Williams briefly fulfilled a long-held wish she shared during her visit to the UAE in 2023.

Having been stranded aboard the International Space Station (ISS) along with her colleague Butch Wilmore since June 2024, she was finally reunited with two fellow female astronauts, NASA’s Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, as SpaceX Crew-10 docked at the ISS on Sunday, March 16, just two days before the stranded duo took their space flight home.

This moment marked the realisation of one of Williams’ dreams, which she had previously spoken about in an exclusive interview with Gulf News at the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) 2023.

In the interview, Williams, who has made history as one of the most accomplished astronauts, expressed her longing for the camaraderie of another woman in space.

“It is like you don’t have your sister to talk to… Sometimes you got to call back down and call your sister or your mother to have that conversation,” Williams had shared candidly while revealing challenges that women astronauts face in space.

“So I think that for me was the one thing that I missed. I haven’t been up there with another woman but I hope we’re changing that,” she had said. Now, with McClain and Ayers joining her in space, Williams’ dream, at least for a couple of days before her return, came true.

A warm welcome

NASA’s live stream of the SpaceX Crew-10 docking event revealed an emotional moment as Williams greeted Ayers with a warm hug — the first woman she had met and come into contact with in space.

She also shared a brief conversation with Ayers and McClain before the new crew members proceeded to the official welcoming ceremony.

While it is unclear how much quality time Williams had with her new “sisters” on board, it is undeniable that this moment symbolised a special milestone in Williams’ long career, one that had been deeply personal.

“We are getting more and more women in the Astronaut Corps from other countries as well as the United States, which is really awesome,” Williams had remarked during her UAE visit, highlighting the importance of diversity in space exploration.

Having set several records as a woman astronaut in space, Williams had noted that the inclusion of both men and women in space programmes brings diverse perspectives, making the team more balanced and effective.

“Some people joke around that the boys keep the station a little bit cleaner when the women are up there," she had added with a laugh.

A tidier ISS?

With the recent arrival of McClain and Ayers aboard the ISS, one might wonder whether Williams experienced the "tidier" ISS she jokingly referred to in her Gulf News interview.

While no direct evidence of this has surfaced, we hope that, during her days in space, especially after the arrival of the two new female astronauts, Williams found the ISS to be a bit more orderly. Nonetheless, this playful observation added a lighthearted touch to her otherwise groundbreaking role in space exploration.

UAE and women in space

During her 2023 visit to Sharjah, Williams also praised the UAE for its commitment to advancing gender equality in space exploration. "Having a female astronaut from the UAE is a huge step," she stated, highlighting the significance of the nation's decision to include women in its space programme.

This remark was made just a year after the UAE had announced its second astronaut, Nora Al Matrooshi, who became the first Emirati woman astronaut.

Williams had also shared her positive experiences with UAE astronauts Hazzaa Al Mansoori and Dr Sultan Al Neyadi, who later became the UAE Minister of State for Youth Affairs, having met them during their training in Russia. She commended their dedication and expressed her delight at seeing them join the astronaut community.

Williams stole hearts at SIBF

Williams was a beloved figure during her time at the SIBF in 2023. As an esteemed guest, she captivated audiences not only with her inspiring tales of space exploration but also with her warm personality. She interacted with several students, signed autographs, and shared valuable insights about space travel.

Her visit to the UAE served as an inspiration to many young minds, particularly to girls who saw in her a role model — a woman who defied boundaries and soared into space.

Serving as a role model for young individuals with big dreams and instilling the belief that anyone can be part of something bigger than themselves is exactly what Williams believes her most significant contribution is, despite all her physical and scientific achievements in space.