Prime Minister Narendra Modi greeted NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and the Crew-9 crew as they landed safely on Earth after more than nine months in space. “Welcome back, #Crew9! The Earth missed you,” PM Modi tweeted on X (formerly Twitter), posting a photo with Williams.

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NASA’s Crew-9 touched down off the coast of Florida early on Wednesday morning, with the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft splashing down at 3:27 am (IST). Their return was the end of a long mission on the International Space Station (ISS), which had initially started as an eight-day task but was prolonged to 286 days due to technical complications.

Mission Challenges and Starliner Delays

Williams and astronaut Butch Wilmore had first flown to space on June 5, 2023, aboard Boeing’s Crew Flight Test for NASA. But NASA and Boeing had detected helium leaks and had issues with the spacecraft’s reaction control thrusters when their spacecraft was nearing the ISS. This prompted NASA to recall the Starliner back to Earth without its crew.

Due to these setbacks, NASA reassigned Williams and Wilmore to SpaceX’s Crew-9 mission in August 2023. This decision reduced the Crew-9 team from four to two, excluding previously announced astronauts Zena Cardman and Stephanie Wilson to accommodate Williams and Wilmore. NASA astronaut Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov later joined the mission, flying to the ISS aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule.

PM Modi’s Tribute to Determination of Sunita Williams

Appreciating the astronauts’ persistence, PM Modi praised their stamina throughout their lengthy mission. “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,” he uploaded on X.

PM Modi also stressed that space exploration is all about driving human potential, dreaming big, and having the boldness to bring those dreams alive. “Sunita Williams, a trailblazer and an icon, has exemplified this spirit throughout her career,” he added. The Prime Minister also thanked the ground teams who went about their tasks day and night to make it possible for her to return home safely, terming them, “We are incredibly proud…They have demonstrated what happens when precision meets passion and technology meets tenacity.”

PM Modi’s Personal Connection to Sunita Williams

A day before their return, Union Minister Jitendra Singh shared a letter from PM Modi addressed to Sunita Williams. Dated March 1, the letter revealed that Modi had inquired about Williams’ well-being during meetings with former US Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

Modi has said his conversation with veteran NASA astronaut Mike Massimino in Delhi made him want to send a message to Williams. “1.4 billion Indians have always taken great pride in your 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,” wrote PM Modi.

He also remembered meeting Williams during her visit to the US in 2016 and hoped to receive her in India in the near future. “It will be a pleasure for India to host one of its most illustrious daughters,” he said.

A Triumphant Return to Earth

After traveling for 17 hours back to Earth, Crew-9 spacecraft safely deployed parachutes and splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean. The landing occurred at the end of a long and eventful space flight that further testifies to the commitment of astronauts such as Sunita Williams and personnel such as pilots responsible for their safety.