Sunita Williams on India from space: 'Just Amazing'

In 1984, Rakesh Sharma, India’s first astronaut, famously described his homeland from space using the words of Muhammad Iqbal’s  poem Saare Jahaan Se Accha when asked by then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi how India looked from space. Four decades later, Indian-origin NASA astronaut Sunita Williams shared a similar sentiment after spending 286 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

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During a press conference on Monday, Williams was asked how India appeared from space. Without hesitation, she responded, “India is amazing, just amazing,” highlighting the breathtaking view of the Himalayas. She described the mountain range as resembling a ripple effect, flowing down into India. She also noted the striking colors visible from space and the network of lights connecting cities, which made for a spectacular sight both day and night.

When asked if she planned to visit India and contribute to the Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) spaceflight program, Williams expressed her enthusiasm. She said she hopes to share her experiences with as many people in India as possible and support the country’s growing space ambitions. Her fellow astronaut, Butch Wilmore, playfully asked if she would bring her crew members along, to which she enthusiastically replied, “Absolutely.”

Williams, along with NASA Crew-9 members Nick Hague, Wilmore, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, returned to Earth on March 18 after successfully splashing down aboard SpaceX’s Dragon capsule at 5:57 PM EDT. Following their return, Williams and Wilmore began physical therapy at NASA’s Johnson Space Center to help their bodies readjust to Earth’s gravity. During the press conference, both astronauts appeared in good spirits, with Williams even revealing that she had gone for a three-mile run the previous day.