NASA astronaut Sunita Williams revealed her plans to visit India soon, where she intends to meet with the team at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). During NASA’s SpaceX Crew-9 Post-Flight News Conference, Williams expressed her admiration for India, recalling how each time her spacecraft passed over the Himalayas during her nine-month mission in space, she was in awe of the view.
Williams, who has a deep connection to India through her father, Deepak Pandya, who hails from Gujarat, shared her excitement about connecting with the Indian space community. She highlighted the progress India has made in the space sector, noting that ISRO’s achievements are particularly impressive for a fellow democracy.
“I hope to meet Indian astronauts and share my experiences from the International Space Station with them,” Williams said. She also emphasized how inspiring it is that India will soon have its own hometown space hero, who can offer a unique perspective on life in space.
When asked about taking her crew along on her visit to India, Williams jokingly said she would prepare them for the spicy food, making the trip even more enjoyable.
Williams also shared her awe of India’s geographical beauty, describing the Himalayas as a “ripple effect” formed by the collision of land masses. She marveled at the diverse landscapes visible from space, from the snowy peaks of the Himalayas to the bustling fishing fleets off India’s western coast.
The astronaut also reflected on how India appeared as a network of lights, with major cities glowing brightly against the dark backdrop of smaller towns. “It was incredible to see both during the day and at night,” she said.
Williams, along with her fellow astronauts from NASA Crew-9, returned to Earth on March 19 after a successful splashdown of SpaceX’s Dragon capsule. The extended mission, which lasted nine months instead of the planned week, was caused by delays with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.
Following her return, ISRO expressed interest in collaborating with Williams on future space missions, particularly as India’s space sector continues to evolve under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
