Sunita Williams Praises India’s Spectacular View from the International Space Station (ISS)
NASA astronaut Sunita Williams described India as "amazing" from space, emphasizing its stunning landscapes and vibrant city lights visible from orbit. Williams shared her observations during a press conference held on Monday, marking her first media interaction since returning from an extended nine-month stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS) as part of SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission.Himalayan Beauty and India’s City Lights from Space
Reflecting on her time in orbit, Williams highlighted the majestic beauty of the Himalayas, captured vividly in photographs taken by her fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore. She described the awe-inspiring imagery: "Every time we went over the Himalayas—and I'll tell you, Butch got some incredible pictures of the Himalayas—it was just amazing."She further detailed the unique topography of the region: "You can see, like I've described it before, just like this ripple that happened, obviously when the plates collided, and then as it flows down into India. It's many, many colours."
Williams added a fascinating description of India's night view from space: "When you come from the east, going into Gujarat and Mumbai, the fishing fleet off the coast gives you a little bit of a beacon. Then throughout India, there is just this network of lights from bigger cities down to smaller cities—just incredible to look at, both at night and during the day."
Sunita Williams Hopes to Visit India, Promotes India’s Space Exploration Initiatives
Expressing optimism about a future visit to India—her father’s homeland—Williams said she looks forward to engaging with locals and sharing insights about space exploration. "I hope, and I think for sure, I'm gonna be going back to my father's home country and visiting with people," Williams said, highlighting her excitement about India's increasing involvement in space exploration.She referenced the upcoming Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), a commercial mission to the ISS, which will feature Mission Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla. Lucknow-born Shukla will become India's second astronaut in space after Rakesh Sharma’s historic mission in 1984.
“They'll have a hometown hero there of their own who will be able to talk about how wonderful the International Space Station is from his perspective," Williams noted. "I hope I can meet up at some point, and we can share our experiences with as many people in India as possible."
Sunita Williams: A Trailblazer and Inspirational Figure
Williams, whose father Deepak Pandya hailed from Gujarat and moved to the United States in 1958, was born in Ohio. Deepak Pandya completed his medical training in Cleveland, Ohio, where Sunita was raised. Emphasizing her cultural connection, Williams humorously mentioned plans to bring her fellow astronauts, including Wilmore, to India: "Absolutely. You might stick out a little bit, but that's okay. We'll get you all primed with some spicy food—it will be good."Prime Minister Modi Welcomes Crew-9’s Safe Return to Earth
Following the astronauts' safe return to Earth on March 18, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Sunita Williams and her fellow Crew-9 astronauts—Nick Hague, Butch Wilmore, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov—for their remarkable resilience and courage.“Theirs has been a test of grit, courage, and the boundless human spirit. Sunita Williams and the #Crew9 astronauts have once again shown us what perseverance truly means,” Modi said in a message on social media platform X. He further described Williams as a "trailblazer and an icon," emphasizing that their mission symbolizes human potential and the relentless pursuit of dreams.
Williams and Wilmore initially planned for an eight-day mission to test Boeing’s new Starliner capsule, but it unexpectedly extended to nine months due to technical issues, including helium leaks and thruster failures.
Modi also expressed pride in the meticulous efforts ensuring the crew’s safe return, commending the collaboration of passion, precision, and technology demonstrated by the mission teams.
