The number of sunrises seen by the crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS) is determined by the station’s rapid orbiting of Earth. As of January 1, 2025, U.S. astronaut Sunita Williams, currently stationed on the ISS, is set to witness 16 sunrises as the world enters the New Year.

Williams, the commander of the “Expedition 72” mission, is joined by her fellow flight engineers: Alexey Ovchinin, Butch Wilmore, Ivan Vagner, Don Pettit, Aleksandr Gorbunov, and Nick Hague. The ISS, traveling at a speed of approximately 28,000 kilometers per hour (17,500 miles per hour) at an altitude of about 400 kilometers (250 miles), completes an orbit around Earth in roughly 90 minutes. This allows the crew to experience around 15.5 sunrises and sunsets daily.

The ISS shared on X (formerly Twitter): “As 2024 comes to a close, the Exp 72 crew will see 16 sunrises and sunsets while soaring into the New Year. Pictured here are several stunning sunsets from the orbital outpost over the years.”

Williams and Wilmore initially traveled to the ISS in June 2024 aboard the Boeing Starliner capsule for an eight-day mission. However, their return was significantly delayed when the capsule was deemed unfit for reentry, turning their short stay into a months-long mission. Despite the challenges, the crew has been sending messages to loved ones on Earth, celebrating milestones like Christmas and New Year’s.

In a video shared by NASA before Christmas, Williams said, “Welcome to the International Space Station as we prepare for the holiday season. It's a wonderful time up here, and we’re lucky to celebrate with our 'family' on the ISS. There are seven of us onboard, and we’re making the most of our time together.”

NASA recently announced that Williams and Wilmore’s return to Earth, along with Nick Hague and Aleksandr Gorbunov, has been postponed until at least late March 2025. The four astronauts will return aboard a scheduled spacecraft after the arrival of the Crew-10 mission.