In June 2024, NASA astronaut Suni Williams and a fellow crew member launched into space for what was initially planned as a brief, week-long mission aboard the International Space Station. However, unexpected technical issues turned that short trip into an extended 10-month stay in orbit.
During her time away from Earth, Williams was cut off from many comforts of home—including the companionship of her two cherished dogs, Rotor and Gunner. Fully aware of how deeply Williams missed her pups, her colleagues at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) arranged a heartwarming surprise. They had custom figurines made in the likeness of Rotor and Gunner and managed to send them to the space station on a resupply flight.
“Wondering what NASA astronaut Suni Williams missed most during her nine months in space?” WHOI posted online. “Besides her loved ones and a fresh salad, it was her dogs, Rotor and Gunner!”
Meanwhile, back on Earth, Rotor and Gunner were missing her just as much. But after months of waiting, the moment they’d all been longing for finally arrived. Just last month, Williams and her fellow astronaut safely returned home, reunited at last with their families—and for Suni, that included two very excited dogs.
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