Sunita Williams Celebrates 59th Birthday Aboard the ISS, Receives Special Musical Tribute from India

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams celebrated her 59th birthday on September 19, 2024, aboard the International Space Station (ISS), marking the second time she has celebrated her birthday in space, with her first being during a mission in 2012. Williams has been on the ISS since June 6, 2024, alongside fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore as part of NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test mission. Their stay, originally slated for a short duration, has been extended until February 2025 due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.

Despite the challenges of the extended mission, Williams dedicated her birthday to maintaining vital systems on the ISS, working alongside astronaut Don Pettit to ensure the proper functioning of the station’s life support systems. The duo also replaced filters in the space station’s waste and hygiene compartment. Commenting on her extended stay, Williams said, “This is my happy place. I love being up here in space,” while acknowledging the unpredictable nature of space missions.

In addition to her technical responsibilities, Williams received a heartwarming birthday tribute from Earth. Indian music company Saregama surprised her with a rendition of the classic birthday song “Bar Bar Din Ye Aaye,” originally sung by Mohd Rafi. The video, shared on Instagram, featured Bollywood director Karan Johar and iconic Indian singers Sonu Nigam, Shaan, Hariharan, and Neeti Mohan performing the song. The post invited people to join the celebration by sharing their own birthday wishes using #HappyBirthdaySunita.