The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi in statement on X welcomed Sunita Williams, an American astronaut, commander of the International Space Station, back to earth.
Modi applaud the courage of the astronauts who were stranded in space for nine month and speak glowingly of their exploration.
His post read: “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.” The Prime Minister added
NASA astronauts Nick Hague, Suni Williams, Butch Wilmore, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, returned to Earth after an extended mission on the International Space Station (ISS).
Their SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft, named Freedom, successfully splashed down in the Gulf of Mexico near Florida, marking the end of a 286-day mission. This mission saw an unexpected extension due to technical issues, highlighting the complexities and challenges of space travel.
They carried out an array of experiments on board the orbiting lab and conducted spacewalks, with Suni breaking the record for the woman who spent the most hours outside of the space station. And at Christmas, the team dressed in Santa hats and reindeer antlers – sending a festive message for a Christmas that they had originally planned to spend at home.
In interviews while onboard, Butch and Suni have said they were well prepared for their longer than expected stay – but there were things they were looking forward to when they got home.
Speaking to CBS last month, Suni Williams said: “I’m looking forward to seeing my family, my dogs and jumping in the ocean. That will be really nice – to be back on Earth and feel Earth.”
Her father, Deepak Pandya, is from Jhulasan, Gujarat, but migrated to the United States to study and seek advancement.
By: Adeoye Olorunseun Elizabeth
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