'Best selfie ever': NASA astronaut Sunita Williams shares ‘ultimate selfie’ from her 9th spacewalk

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has taken what many call the "ultimate selfie." The photo, shared by NASA, was clicked during her ninth spacewalk on 30 January. As the International Space Station (ISS) orbited 423 km above the Pacific Ocean, she captured her reflection in her helmet’s visor.

A stunning view from space
The selfie shows Williams’ reflection in her helmet, with the vast darkness of space behind her. Part of the ISS structure and the deep blue Pacific Ocean are also visible. The curve of Earth subtly appears in the frame, adding to the image’s impact. Social media users were quick to praise the picture. One commented, "Best selfie ever in history," while another called it the "Selfie Winner of the Week."

A record-breaking spacewalk
During the 5.5-hour spacewalk, Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore removed hardware from the ISS exterior. They also collected surface samples to study whether microorganisms can survive and spread in space. These findings will help scientists prepare for Moon and Mars missions.

Williams also made history by surpassing former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson’s spacewalking record. With a total of 62 hours and 6 minutes outside the ISS, she now ranks fourth on NASA’s all-time spacewalking list.

Extended stay on the ISS
Williams and Wilmore were originally set for an eight-day mission. However, due to technical issues with Boeing’s Starliner, they have remained on the ISS since June 2024. NASA initially planned to bring them home in February with SpaceX, but the return was delayed. They are now scheduled to return in March 2025 on the Crew 9 mission, completing nearly 300 days in space.