By The Sampadak Express
In 1984, India’s first astronaut, Rakesh Sharma, famously responded to a question from Prime Minister Indira Gandhi about how India looked from space with a line from Muhammad Iqbal’s poem, “Saare Jahaan Se Accha.” Fast forward four decades, and Indian-origin NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, who recently returned from a remarkable 286-day mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), was asked a similar question during a press conference.
On Monday, Williams was asked by a journalist how India appeared from space. Without hesitation, she replied, “India is amazing, just amazing,” as she described the breathtaking view of the Himalayas from orbit.
Reflecting on her experience, Williams shared, “Every time we passed over the Himalayas, we got incredible pictures. It looked like a ripple flowing down into India.” She continued, explaining how the geological forces that formed the mountains were visible, with the land transitioning into a vibrant mix of colors.
Williams also described the view of India as a network of lights at night. “When you’re flying over Gujarat and Mumbai, you see the fishing fleet off the coast. It’s like a beacon saying, ‘Here we come.’ At night, it’s stunning to see the cities connected by these lights,” she said. “During the day, the Himalayas stand out as a striking feature in the landscape as you make your way into India.”
Sunita Williams’ Plans to Visit India
When asked about her plans to visit India and collaborate with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Williams expressed her eagerness to contribute. “I hope to meet up at some point and share our experiences with as many people as possible in India. It’s a great country, a wonderful democracy, and a rising space nation. I’d love to be a part of that and help them along,” she said.
Butch Wilmore, who was sitting next to Williams, humorously asked if she intended to bring her crew members along on her trip to India. Williams quickly responded, “Absolutely,” revealing her connection to the country, as her parents were both born in India.
NASA Crew-9’s Return to Earth
Williams, Wilmore, and their fellow astronauts, Nick Hague and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, reentered Earth’s atmosphere on March 18 after spending over nine months aboard the ISS. The team successfully splashed down in SpaceX’s Dragon capsule at 5:57 pm EDT.
Upon their return, both Williams and Wilmore began physical therapy at the Johnson Space Center to help their bodies readjust to Earth’s gravity—a standard procedure for astronauts after extended missions. Despite the adjustment period, Williams appeared in high spirits, even sharing that she went for a 3-mile run the day before the press conference.
As Williams continues to reflect on her time in space, her enthusiasm for India and its space program shines through, leaving the door open for future collaboration and visits to her homeland.
