Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday welcomed NASA astronauts Sunita "Suni" Williams and Barry "Butch" Willmore back to Earth after their nine-month stay in space. PM Modi praised Williams, who has Indian roots through her father, calling her a "trailblazer" and an "icon." In a post on X, the Prime Minister shared a picture with Sunita Williams and her father, expressing his admiration for the astronauts. "Welcome back, Crew-9! The Earth missed you. Their journey has been a testament to grit, courage, and the limitless human spirit. Sunita Williams and her fellow astronauts have once again demonstrated the power of perseverance. Their determination in the face of the vast unknown will continue to inspire millions," he wrote.

Highlighting the significance of space exploration, PM Modi stated, "It is about pushing the boundaries of human potential, daring to dream, and having the courage to turn those dreams into reality. Sunita Williams, a true pioneer, embodies this spirit. We are immensely proud of everyone who worked tirelessly for their safe return, showcasing the perfect blend of precision, passion, technology, and tenacity."

After spending nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Williams and Willmore finally returned to Earth aboard SpaceX’s Dragon capsule, landing off the Florida coast on Wednesday (IST). India’s Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also congratulated Sunita Williams and her fellow crew members, commending her resilience and calling their return a significant milestone in human space exploration. He also praised NASA’s Crew-9 mission for its success.

Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh shared his thoughts on X, calling it "a moment of glory, pride, and relief." He celebrated Williams as "an illustrious daughter of India" who made history with her courage, conviction, and perseverance in the face of space’s uncertainties. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also commented on the safe return of Williams and Willmore, acknowledging their remarkable nine-month stay at the ISS. He highlighted the technical challenges they faced and their inspiring legacy in space exploration while wishing them good health and future successes.

Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President KT Rama Rao joined other leaders in congratulating the astronauts. He lauded NASA’s Crew-9 mission as a testament to global cooperation in space exploration. In a post on X, he wrote, "Congratulations to NASA astronauts Butch Willmore, Suni Williams, Nick Hague, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov on their safe return! A remarkable mission and a true example of international collaboration. Welcome home." Williams and Willmore initially embarked on their mission in June 2024 aboard Boeing’s Starliner, which was originally planned to last a week. However, due to technical malfunctions, the Boeing Starliner returned to Earth empty, leaving the two astronauts stranded in space for an extended period.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from X@narendramodi.