Astronaut says viewing Earth from space changed her perspective on humanity

Suni Williams said looking down at Earth from space made her see people as a single human group without visible borders; she has retired after a 27-year NASA career and logged 608 days in space.

Suni Williams, a NASA astronaut, said looking at Earth from space changed her perspective on people and national borders. She announced her retirement after a 27-year career at NASA following a period when she was stranded in space between June 2024 and March 2025 because of mechanical issues with a spacecraft. Williams flew to space three times and logged 608 days in orbit. In 2013 she described the experience as the overview effect, an unexpected feeling that everyone on Earth seems part of one human group. Key facts: - Suni Williams announced her retirement after 27 years at NASA and has logged 608 days in space. - She was stranded in space between June 2024 and March 2025 because of mechanical issues with a spacecraft. - Williams said looking down at Earth made her see no borders or nationalities and feel that people are one human group. - Former astronaut Scott Kelly described a similar response and noted the atmosphere looks thin and that pollution is visible in some regions. Summary: Williams's comments reflect the overview effect reported by astronauts and highlight how seeing Earth from orbit can change perceptions of humanity and the planet's fragility. She has retired after a long NASA career. Undetermined at this time.