NASA astronaut Sunita Williams recently shared her awe-inspiring views of India from space, describing the country as "amazing" during a press conference held on April 1, 2025. This event marked her first joint press conference with fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore since their return from the SpaceX Crew-9 mission, where they spent over nine months in space.
Williams, who is 59 years old, offered a vivid description of India’s landscape as seen from the International Space Station (ISS). She noted the striking visuals of the country, particularly how the lights from cities formed a complex network. "I think, when you come from the east, going into like Gujarat and Mumbai, the fishing fleet that's off the coast there gives you a little bit of a beacon that here we come," Williams explained. "And then all throughout India, I think the impression I had was it was just like this network of lights from the bigger cities going down through the smaller cities. Just incredible to look at at night as well as during the day, highlighted, of course, by the Himalayas, which is just incredible as a forefront going down into India.”
Her remarks resonated with the legacy of Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian in space, who famously replied "Sare jahan se achcha" when asked how India looked from above. Williams expressed her excitement about visiting India, her father's homeland, to engage with people and share her experiences in 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 and getting excited about the first, or not the first, but the Indian national who's going up on the Axiom Mission coming up, pretty awesome," she said, referring to Shubhanshu Shukla, who is set to be the second Indian in space after Sharma.
Shukla, born in Lucknow, is slated to participate in the upcoming Axiom Mission 4 (Ax-4), and Williams expressed her eagerness to meet him. She noted, "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. But I hope I can meet up at some point in time. We can share our experiences with as many people in India as possible because it's a great country, another wonderful democracy that's trying to put its foot in space countries. We'd love to be part of that and help them along.”
Williams' father, Deepak Pandya, originally hails from Gujarat, having moved to the United States in 1958 for medical training in Cleveland, Ohio. This personal connection adds a layer of significance to her future visit to India.
During the press conference, Wilmore humorously inquired if Williams planned to bring her crew members along on her trip to India. Williams responded with laughter, saying, "Absolutely. You might stick out a little bit but that's okay. We'll get you all primed with some spicy food, will be good.”
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed Williams and her Crew-9 colleagues upon their return, highlighting the inspiration they provide to millions. “Welcome back, Crew-9! The Earth missed you,” Modi posted on the social media platform X. He commended the astronauts for their determination, stating, “Theirs has been a test of grit, courage, and the boundless human spirit. Williams and the Crew-9 astronauts have once again shown us what perseverance truly means.”
Williams, along with astronauts Nick Hague, Wilmore, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, returned to Earth on March 18, 2025, aboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft, which splashed down off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida. Originally, their mission was intended to last only eight days as test pilots for Boeing’s Starliner capsule. However, due to unforeseen technical issues, including helium leaks and thruster failures, their stay was extended to over nine months.
“We are incredibly proud of all those who worked tirelessly to ensure their safe return. They have demonstrated what happens when precision meets passion and technology meets tenacity,” Modi added, emphasizing the importance of space exploration in pushing human potential and turning dreams into reality.
As Williams prepares for her anticipated visit to India, her reflections on the beauty of the country from space and her enthusiasm for collaboration with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) signal a growing interest in international partnerships in space exploration. Williams' journey and her plans to engage with the Indian community underscore the expanding role of countries like India in the global space arena.
In summary, Sunita Williams' recent comments about India from space not only highlight the stunning visuals of the country but also pave the way for future collaborations in space exploration. Her connection to India through her father's heritage and her role in inspiring future generations of astronauts reflect the evolving narrative of space travel, where nations come together to explore the final frontier.
