“Of Course I’ll Have FOMO,” Says Sunita Williams on Return to the Moon

New Delhi: Retired NASA astronaut Sunita Williams says the upcoming crewed Moon missions under the Artemis programme will inevitably spark a sense of missing out, even as she embraces life back on Earth after an extraordinary career in space. Speaking at the opening evening of the Kerala Literature Festival, Williams shared candid reflections on her 27 years as an astronaut, her deep connection with Earth, and her excitement for the next generation of explorers.
With a shimmering half moon overhead, Williams told a packed audience that travelling to the Moon was her original dream when she joined NASA. While she acknowledged feeling a natural sense of FOMO as Artemis prepares to take humans around the Moon again, she said the emotion is matched by pride and excitement for her colleagues who will make the historic journey.
Williams, who logged 608 days in space, spoke about the wonder of viewing Earth from orbit and the teamwork that went into building and sustaining the International Space Station. She also reflected on the quieter sacrifices of spaceflight, particularly missing everyday sensations like rain, wind, sand beneath her feet, and time with her dogs. Despite staying connected with family and following events on Earth, she described the inability to physically experience life on the planet as emotionally challenging.
Known for her calm under pressure, Williams downplayed her many achievements, including record setting spacewalks and commanding the space station. She recalled how trust in training, teammates, and ground support carried her through high risk moments, including a mission that stretched far beyond its original timeline due to technical issues.
Now retired, Williams said she is discovering parts of Earth she once only glimpsed from space and plans to travel extensively, with Kerala being one of her destinations. She expressed gratitude for the affection she has received in India, recalling how she was deeply moved to learn that people across the country prayed for her safety during her missions.
Born in the United States to an Indian father and a Slovenian mother, Williams said being embraced as a daughter of India remains one of the most meaningful aspects of her journey. As humanity prepares to return to the Moon, she is content watching from Earth, filled with pride, curiosity, and a lingering sense of wonder.