Most people celebrate their birthdays with cake and candles, but NASA astronaut Sunita Williams marked her 59th birthday aboard the International Space Station (ISS) by replacing filters in the space bathroom. Talk about a unique way to start the day!
According to a report by India Today, on September 19, Williams, a seasoned astronaut on her third spaceflight, dedicated her special day to critical maintenance tasks. Alongside fellow NASA astronaut Don Pettit, she focused on keeping the ISS in top shape by ensuring its life support systems were running smoothly. The duo tackled the not-so-glamorous but essential task of cleaning the waste and hygiene compartment, ensuring a healthy environment for the crew.
Williams also participated in a conference with Mission Control in Houston, discussing ongoing mission goals and upcoming tasks with astronauts Barry Wilmore and Frank Rubio. Additionally, she spent part of the day organizing cargo inside the Columbus laboratory module, an essential duty to maximize space efficiency, the report stated.
With her mission extended due to technical issues, Williams is expected to return to Earth in February 2025—likely adding even more records to her extraordinary space career.