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It is every person’s dream to celebrate their birthday in a unique and memorable way and if this birthday is celebrated in space and that too in the International Space Station (ISS), then it can only happen in a dream. Indian-origin NASA astronaut Sunita Williams celebrated her 59th birthday on the International Space Station (ISS) on Thursday (September 19, 2024). This was her second birthday after the first birthday celebrated on the ISS during her 2012 mission.
In contrast to the traditional celebration of cake and candles, Williams — who has been stuck in space since June 6 — spent her birthday participating in a conference with flight directors in which they discussed future mission objectives and scientific research aboard the orbiting lab.
According to reports, Williams, who is currently part of the Boeing Crew Flight Test Mission, has shifted her focus to maintaining the ISS’ life support systems.
During the day, the Indian-origin astronaut, along with Don Pettit, first changed the filters in the ISS’ waste and hygiene chamber, called the space toilet, then discussed mission objectives and future tasks with flight directors at NASA’s Mission Control Centre in Houston, the report said.
The Indian-origin astronaut’s birthday was celebrated by fans in India. Indian music company Saregama organized a special birthday celebration in which famous singers like Sonu Nigam, Shaan and Neeti Mohan performed the classic birthday song “Baar Baar Din Yeh Aaye”.
Saregama wrote on Instagram, “Let’s sing #HappyBirthdaySunita together with India’s biggest icon and send our collective wishes to astronaut Sunita Williams in space. Use #HappyBirthdaySunita and tag @saregama_official to post your videos.”
It is worth noting that this is Williams’ third space flight, having previously flown in 2006 and the second in 2012. According to NASA, “Sunita has spent a total of 322 days in space”, and is the second-most spacewalking female astronaut.
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