Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) congratulated NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and her Crew-9 teammates as they safely returned to Earth on Wednesday morning. The astronauts completed their nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station.
PM Modi praised their courage, determination and contribution to space exploration. He highlighted the importance of space exploration, saying it pushes human limits, encourages big dreams, and requires bravery to turn those dreams into reality.
However, he called Sunita Williams a ‘trailblazer’ and ‘icon’, an inspiration for many.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister welcomed the astronauts back, saying, “The earth missed you!”
“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. Their unwavering determination in the face of the vast unknown will forever inspire millions. Space exploration is about pushing the limits of human potential, daring to dream, and having the courage to turn those dreams into reality. Sunita Williams, a trailblazer and an icon, has exemplified this spirit throughout her career. 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,” said Prime Minister.
However, in another X post, the ISRO official page also praised Sunita Williams, who has Indian roots from her father’s side, and called her return a ‘remarkable journey.’
“Welcome back, Sunita Williams! Your safe return after an extended mission aboard the ISS is a remarkable achievement. A testament to Nasa, SpaceX, and the USA’s commitment to space exploration! Your resilience and dedication continue to inspire space enthusiasts around the world. As Secretary DoS and Chairman ISRO, I on behalf of my colleagues extend a warm greeting to you and wish you a great day ahead. When Bharat under the leadership of Hon’ble PM Modi ji is working towards making India as a developed country, we wish to utilise your expertise in the space exploration,” ISRO posted on X.
The Crew-9 mission was originally planned to last just eight days, but due to technical issues, the astronauts had to stay much longer on the International Space Station (ISS).
It all started last June when their Boeing Starliner spacecraft experienced problems, forcing NASA to send it back to Earth without them. As a result, they remained on the ISS, waiting for SpaceX, Elon Musk’s space company, to bring them home. However, their return was further delayed due to issues with the SpaceX capsule.
After months of waiting, the astronauts finally made it back safely when the SpaceX capsule landed off the coast of Florida on Wednesday morning (IST).
However, the residents of Jhulasan, Sunita Williams’ Native village, celebrated with great joy and fireworks after the successful landing of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft.
In Ahmedabad, Sunita Williams’ cousin, Dinesh Rawal, performed a ‘Yagna’ (prayer ritual) on Tuesday for her safe return. Expressing his joy, he said, “When she returned, we jumped with joy… I was so happy. Until yesterday, I had an unsettling feeling deep in my heart. But God has listened to our prayers and brought our Suni back safely. Sunita is not an ordinary person—she will change the world.”
Bollywood celebrities also joined in celebrating the return of Crew-9 to Earth. Actor R. Madhavan shared his excitement on Instagram, He welcomed Sunita Williams back, calling her a safe return “After spending more than 260 uncertain days in space, this is truly God’s grace and the result of millions of prayers being answered.”
