Retired NASA astronaut Sunita Williams delivers inaugural lecture at IIT Delhi

Sunita L Williams, retired NASA astronaut and former US Navy captain, addressed students and faculty at the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi on Jan 20 as the inaugural speaker of the Professor VN Vazirani Institute Lecture.

Speaking at Dogra Hall, Williams shared experiences from her recent missions aboard the International Space Station during Expeditions 71 and 72.

The lecture series was instituted by Vijay Vazirani and Umesh Vazirani in memory of their father, Professor VN Vazirani, a noted academic.

Titled “The Making of an Astronaut: Sunita Williams’ Story,” the session focused on the discipline, teamwork, and attention to detail required for human spaceflight.

“It is a very exciting time in human space exploration,” Williams said. “Every new project has its ups and downs, but each one teaches us something and prepares us better for what comes next.”

She explained how space missions rely on multiple systems, backup planning, and careful observation. “Sometimes the solution is not complicated at all,” she said. “You just have to be willing to observe carefully.”

Williams also spoke about the impact of living in a zero-gravity environment, describing how the absence of gravity changes the way materials behave and how the human body responds.

“When you take gravity away, you begin to understand more about yourself and the universe,” she said.

Ahead of the lecture, Williams met IIT Delhi Director Rangan Banerjee and senior administrators, who discussed the institute’s work in space technology and collaborations with ISRO.

The event concluded with a fireside chat moderated by Professor Shilpi Sharma, Associate Dean for Academic Outreach, where Williams reflected on her childhood, her background in swimming, and the importance of teamwork in her career.

Sharing a lighter moment from space, she recalled opening Indian food aboard the space station. “Opening a package of Indian food in space was incredible,” she said. “Sharing it with my crewmates made it special.”

Reflecting on viewing Earth from orbit, Williams said the experience changed her perspective. “You realize we are all living on one planet. Boundaries start to feel meaningless.”