Photo credit: www.yahoo.com
Claim:
Reports surfaced suggesting that NASA astronaut Sunita “Suni” Williams returned to Earth with dark hair, although she was known to have gray hair during her space mission.
Rating:
Verdict: Miscaptioned
Context:
The images being circulated of Williams were captured in June 2024, prior to her space journey.
Sunita Williams returned to Earth on March 18, 2025, after an extended mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS) due to an unforeseen delay with her capsule. Following her triumphant return, various rumors emerged claiming that her hair had turned gray while in orbit, but that she appeared with dark hair when she splashed down in Florida.
On social media, particularly on X, several photos were shared that allegedly showed a transformation in her hair, sparking speculation about the effects of a prolonged stay in space on hair properties. Some users humorously suggested that the lack of gravity might have affected her hair color.
One post featured a collage of images, jokingly asserting that nine months in ‘zero gravity’ without haircuts or showers yielded an impossible transformation of gray hair back to vibrant brown, leading to a wave of humorous commentary on the authenticity of her experience in space.
(X user @TNTJohn1717)
On TikTok, other users expressed disbelief about Williams’ apparent hair transformation, suggesting she might have been involved in some film production rather than being in orbit.
While the images of Williams with dark hair are genuine, they were indeed taken before her journey to the ISS, leading to a classification of these claims as miscaptioned.
Several social media posts showcased Williams in her blue spacesuit, and the rights to one of these photographs are held by Agence France-Presse, which noted that the photograph was taken on June 5, 2024, as she prepared for her flight aboard the Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
Additionally, Getty Images holds rights to an image of Williams with dark hair, captured on June 1, coinciding with a canceled launch that added to the narrative of her preparation for the mission.
(X user @truthache68)
(Getty Images)
Images circulating showing Williams with gray hair were indeed taken during her time aboard the ISS, including a specific shot from a video recorded while in space.
(X user @TNTJohn1717)
Footage from live broadcasts by the Associated Press and Sky News depicted Williams as she welcomed astronauts from SpaceX Crew-10 upon their arrival at the ISS, providing more context on her appearance during the mission. Highlights from these events can be found at 3:14:20 in the AP video and at 00:09 in the Sky News clip.
(Sky News)
NASA also released a portrait of Williams and her team taken on February 19, 2025, that shows her with gray hair, affirming the claims of her hair’s change while in space.
Furthermore, Getty Images features a post-mission photo of Williams taken after her landing on March 18, which clearly depicts her gray hair.
(Getty Images)
This incident highlights a broader history of claims related to NASA, including controversies surrounding astronauts and their experiences during missions. The scrutiny on Williams reflects a continuing curiosity about space travel and its physical impacts on astronauts.
Sources:
Agence France-Presse. “NASA Astronauts Suni Williams, Wearing…,” 5 June 2024, www.afpforum.com/AFPForum/Search/ViewMedia.aspx?mui=3&hid=A5F7FC39B1FCCBF49366F77A72865D680B6E3106D76B161C0482941441DFF6A1&cck=a1aff2. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
Associated Press. “LIVE: Watch NASA’s SpaceX Crew-10 Docking to International Space Station.” YouTube, 16 Mar. 2025, www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLza2no0Qgg. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
Boeing. “Boeing Starliner Spacecraft Completes Successful Launch.” Boeing.com, 5 June 2024, investors.boeing.com/investors/news/press-release-details/2024/Boeing-Starliner-Spacecraft-Completes-Successful-Launch/default.aspx. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
Doyle, Tiernan P. “LIFTOFF! NASA Astronauts Pilot First Starliner Crewed Test to Station – NASA.” Nasa.gov, 5 June 2024, www.nasa.gov/news-release/liftoff-nasa-astronauts-pilot-first-starliner-crewed-test-to-station/. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
Getty Images. Boeing Starliner Prepares to Launch Manned Test Flight to International Space Station, 1 June 2024, www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/s-boeing-crew-flight-test-pilot-suni-williams-greets-people-news-photo/2155596977?adppopup=true. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
—. Boeing Starliner Prepares to Launch Manned Test Flight to International Space Station, 5 June 2024, www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/s-boeing-crew-flight-test-commander-butch-wilmore-and-pilot-news-photo/2156180691?adppopup=true. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
—. Boeing Starliner Prepares to Launch Manned Test Flight to International Space Station, 5 June 2024, www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/s-boeing-crew-flight-test-commander-butch-wilmore-and-pilot-news-photo/2156181713?adppopup=true. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
—. Boeing Starliner Prepares to Launch Manned Test Flight to International Space Station, 5 June 2024, www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/s-boeing-crew-flight-test-commander-butch-wilmore-and-pilot-news-photo/2156180681?adppopup=true. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
—. Boeing Starliner Prepares to Launch Manned Test Flight to International Space Station, 5 June 2024, www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/s-boeing-crew-flight-test-commander-butch-wilmore-and-pilot-news-photo/2156178383?adppopup=true. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
—. NASA Astronauts Return to Earth after 9-Month Delay, 18 Mar. 2024, www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/astronaut-suni-williams-is-helped-out-of-a-spacex-dragon-news-photo/2205269759?adppopup=true. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
Luabeya, Monika. “NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 Members Pose for Portrait – NASA.” NASA, 18 Mar. 2025, www.nasa.gov/image-article/nasas-spacex-crew-9-members-pose-for-portrait/. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
NASA. “Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building – Kennedy Space Center.” Nasa.gov, 5 June 2024, blogs.nasa.gov/kennedy/tag/neil-a-armstrong-operations-and-checkout-building/. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
Sky News. “SpaceX Crew Welcomed into ISS to Replace Astronauts Stranded for Nine Months.” YouTube, 16 Mar. 2025, www.youtube.com/watch?v=2YtYcN8Bnw8. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
Taveau, Jessica. “Welcome Home! NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 Back on Earth after Science Mission – NASA.” NASA, 18 Mar. 2025, www.nasa.gov/news-release/welcome-home-nasas-spacex-crew-9-back-on-earth-after-science-mission/. Accessed 20 Mar. 2025.
Source
www.yahoo.com