NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday hailed Nasa astronaut Sunita Williams' return to Earth from International Space station and said that the determination of Crew 9 will inspire millions.
In a social media post on X, PM Modi said that that the mission to ISS was a test of grit, courage and boundless human spirit.
"Welcome back, Crew 9! The Earth missed you. Theirs has been a test of grit, courage and the boundless human spirit. Sunita Williams and the Crew 9 astronauts have once again shown us what perseverance truly means. Their unwavering determination in the face of the vast unknown will forever inspire millions," PM Modi said.
"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," he added.
Defence minister Rajnath Singh also congratulates the astronauts on their return them for their extraordinary achievements in space. He said that Sunita and her crew have written history of human endurance and perseverance in space.
"Delighted at the safe return of NASA’s Crew-9 on Earth! The crew, comprising of India’s daughter Sunita Williams and other astronauts, have rewritten the history of human endurance and perseverance in space," Rajnath said.
"Sunita Williams’ incredible journey, unwavering dedication, fortitude, and fighting spirit will inspire millions across the globe. Her safe return is a moment of celebration for space enthusiasts and the entire world. Her courage and achievements make us all proud. Congratulations and a big thank you to all stakeholders for bringing them back safely on Earth," he added.
Union science and technology minister Jitendra Singh also congratulated the Nasa astronaut and said that her name has gone down in the history.
"A moment of glory , pride and relief! The whole world comes together to celebrate the safe return of this illustrious daughter of India who has instantly gone down in the history for the courage, conviction and consistency with which she endured the uncertainties of Space," Jitendra Singh said.
Earlier, Jitendra referred to Sunita Williams' Indian roots in Gujarat and highlighted that Indian space scientists are making waves internationally.
"There is a very deep connection between her and India and of course Gujarat, the state that she belongs to. This is also an indication of the fact that most of the space agencies outside India, including NASA, are now having Indian boys and girls leading most of their important missions...," the MoS said when asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi's March 1 letter to Williams.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed his admiration and best wishes to Williams, recalling his discussions about her during meetings with US leaders.
"I convey to you greetings from the people of India. At a programme today, I met the noted astronaut, Mr Mike Massimino. During the course of our conversation, your name came up and we discussed how proud we are of you and your work. Following this interaction, I could not stop myself from writing to you," he wrote.
He also mentioned his inquiries about her well-being in meetings with US President Trump and former President Biden, highlighting the pride that 1.4 billion Indians feel in her achievements. "Recent developments have yet again showcased your inspirational fortitude and perseverance. Even though you are thousands of miles away, you continue to remain close to our hearts. The people of India are praying for your good health and success in your mission," PM said.
Sunita Williams is back
After an unexpected nine-month space mission, Williams and Wilmore have finally returned to Earth.
A SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule carrying Butch Wilmore, Sunita Williams, fellow American Nick Hague, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov re-entered Earth’s atmosphere, deploying parachutes for a smooth splashdown off the Florida coast at 3.37 am (2157 GMT).
Wilmore and Williams, both former US Navy pilots and experienced astronauts, originally traveled to the ISS in June 2023 on what was meant to be a short test flight aboard Boeing’s Starliner. However, propulsion issues grounded the spacecraft, forcing it to return to Earth without them.