New York, Apr 1: NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has expressed her admiration for India’s beauty from space and shared her excitement about visiting her “father’s home country” in the future. During a press conference on Monday, Williams reflected on her time aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and discussed the possibility of collaborating with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
“India is amazing,” Williams said, recalling her experiences flying over the Himalayas. She mentioned that her fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore captured stunning images of the mountain range. “Every time we flew over the Himalayas, it was just incredible,” she added. Williams also described the visual effect of the Himalayan range’s geological formation as a “ripple” created by the collision of tectonic plates.
She elaborated on the view of India from space, describing the country as a patchwork of colors, with the coast of Gujarat and Mumbai visible as a beacon of the fishing fleet. “At night, India lights up like a network of lights, from larger cities down to smaller towns, all highlighted by the grandeur of the Himalayas.”
Williams, 59, also expressed her hope to return to India to share her space exploration experiences. “I’m definitely going back to my father’s home country, meeting people, and getting excited about India’s progress in space,” she said. Her remarks were a reference to the upcoming Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), which will include India’s second astronaut, Shubhanshu Shukla, who will be joining the International Space Station (ISS).
Shukla, a Lucknow native, will follow in the footsteps of Rakesh Sharma, India’s first astronaut. Williams also mentioned her eagerness to meet Shukla and exchange experiences, encouraging Indian audiences to get excited about space exploration.
Ms. Williams’s father, Deepak Pandya, hailed from Gujarat before moving to the United States in 1958 for medical training. She was born in Ohio to Deepak and Ursuline Bonnie Pandya.
When asked by Wilmore whether she plans to bring her crew to India, Williams humorously replied, “Absolutely. You might stick out a little bit, but we’ll get you all primed with some spicy food, and it will be good.”
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had welcomed Williams and her fellow Crew-9 astronauts after their safe return from the ISS, praising their perseverance and determination. Modi expressed his admiration for their grit, courage, and the inspirational impact of their mission.
The Crew-9 mission members, including Williams, Wilmore, and astronaut Nick Hague, as well as Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, returned to Earth on March 18 aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft. The mission was originally scheduled for eight days but extended to over nine months due to technical difficulties with their spacecraft.
PM Modi had lauded their dedication, stating, “Their unwavering determination in the face of the vast unknown will forever inspire millions.” He also emphasized the role of space exploration in pushing human potential and turning dreams into reality.
