Veteran astronaut Sunita Williams has announced her retirement from NASA, bringing to a close a distinguished 27-year career in space exploration. Following her nine-month Boeing Starliner test mission in 2025, the Indian-origin astronaut has been sharing reflections on life beyond Earth through public appearances and podcast conversations.
In a recent interview with entrepreneur Raj Shamani on The Figuring Out Co. podcast, Williams offered candid insights into both the wonders and challenges of space travel, speaking openly about everyday struggles astronauts face in a zero-gravity environment—beginning with one of her biggest personal apprehensions: using the washroom in space.
The challenge of basic necessities in zero gravity
Asked about the most difficult aspect of using the bathroom aboard a spacecraft, Williams described the experience as both physically and mentally demanding.
“There are so many difficult things about it,” she said. “There’s no gravity assist. Just being able to do it at all is a big deal. You turn on the hose, and it takes everything away—but you have to commit. You can’t hesitate.”
She explained that the human body requires time to adapt to the unfamiliar conditions. “Your body isn’t used to it, so you have to train those muscles to work differently. I wait until I’m absolutely ready, and then I just go. You have to get in there and do it.”
Medical perspective on daily life in space
Dr Pooja Pillai, Consultant in Internal Medicine at Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru, explained that routine activities become significantly more complex in space due to the absence of gravity.
“Simple actions like drinking water, eating food, or brushing teeth are challenging because liquids don’t flow downward—they float as droplets,” she said. Astronauts rely on sealed food packets, special straws, and adhesive tools to prevent substances from drifting away.
Dr Pillai added that bathing and hygiene are also affected. Without gravity, sweat does not drip off the body and can cling to the skin, leading to discomfort or irritation. Space toilets use airflow instead of water or gravity, requiring extensive training to use correctly. Poor hygiene or improper cleaning, she noted, can increase the risk of skin conditions and infections.
Cleaning living spaces is equally demanding, as dust, crumbs, and waste do not settle and can float into the eyes, nose, or sensitive equipment. Even sleeping requires restraint, with astronauts securing themselves inside sleeping bags to prevent drifting.
Emotional toll of extended missions
Williams also spoke about the emotional challenges of spending extended periods away from Earth. During the mission, she remained in space for 286 days, orbiting approximately 400 kilometres above the planet, despite initially expecting a brief 10-day stay.
“I cried in space,” she admitted. “I missed people. I missed my dog. I also cried over things happening back home—friends dealing with sick parents or personal struggles. You want to be there for them, even when you’re so far away.”
A view of India from orbit
Reflecting on the visual beauty of Earth, Williams shared her experience of viewing India from space. “In daylight, the colours are incredible. The Himalayas are absolutely stunning, and you can see how the rivers flow and interact. At night, the country is spectacular—the cities light up, and all those lights seem connected.”
As Williams transitions into retirement, her reflections offer a rare and human glimpse into life aboard a spacecraft—highlighting not only the technological triumphs of space travel, but also the physical, emotional, and psychological resilience required of those who venture beyond Earth.
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