Sunita Williams Witness 16 Sunrise and Sunsets Every Day on ISS | Here’s Why

Astronauts aboard International Station (ISS) experience a unique phemen—sunrise and sunset t just once a day, but as many as 16 times. For those living in , such views become a regular part of life, with NASA astronaut Sunita Williams offering a personal account of this spectacular experience.

Science Behind 16 Sunrises and Sunsets

Orbiting Earth at a speed of approximately 28,000 km per hour, ISS completes a full orbit every 90 minutes. This rapid speed means that astronauts experience a sunrise or sunset approximately every 45 minutes. Each orbit brings m from dark side of Earth to sunlit side and back again, allowing astronauts to witness a phemen most people only observe twice a day.

In 2013, during a felicitation ceremony at University of Gujarat in presence of n Chief Minister Narendra Modi , Williams shared her fascinating experience of witnessing multiple sunrises and sunsets. “Because I h wanted to go to and worked hard for it, I was lucky to see 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets in a day in a fast-moving shuttle,” seasoned astronaut recalled.

A New Day-Night Rhythm in

Unlike life on Earth, where a typical day consists of about 12 hours of light and 12 hours of darkness, astronauts aboard ISS live through a much faster cycle. y experience 45 minutes of daylight followed by 45 minutes of darkness, creating a continuous rhythm of day and night that repeats 16 times within a single Earth day.

How Astronauts Mark time in

In , tritional day-night rhythms don’t apply, as astronauts circle planet every 90 minutes. Without natural cues of sunlight, astronauts on ISS follow Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) to structure ir schedules. ir routines are highly regimented, with work, meals, and rest scheduled in five-minute intervals. This disciplined structure is essential for maintaining both physical and mental health in microgravity environment of .

To stay synchronised with mission control on Earth, astronauts rely on atomic clocks, which provide extreme precision for tasks like navigation, especially for missions beyond Earth's orbit. se timekeeping devices are crucial for success of missions, ensuring astronauts maintain alignment with Earth-based operations.

When Will Sunita Williams Come Back? 

Williams’ current mission has been extended due to delays in Boeing Starliner craft’s return schedule, keeping her in orbit until February 2025. Alongside fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore, she is using this ditional time to contribute to critical research and explore unique experiences has to offer, including ability to witness several sunrises and sunsets within just one Earth day.