The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) extended a warm welcome to NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore following their safe return to Earth on Wednesday morning, after spending an unexpected nine months in space. In a statement shared on X, ISRO Chairman Dr. V Narayanan praised Williams, who has Indian heritage from her father’s side, calling her return a "remarkable journey." He also expressed ISRO’s interest in leveraging her expertise for India's space exploration initiatives.

"Welcome back, Sunita Williams! Your safe return after an extended mission aboard the ISS is a remarkable achievement, reflecting NASA, SpaceX, and the USA’s commitment to space exploration. Your resilience continues to inspire space enthusiasts worldwide. On behalf of my colleagues at ISRO, I extend warm greetings to you. As India, under the leadership of Hon’ble PM Modi ji, strives towards becoming a developed nation, we look forward to utilizing your knowledge in space exploration," the statement read.

A Mission That Lasted Far Longer Than Planned: Williams and Wilmore’s mission was originally scheduled for just eight days, but due to technical failures, they remained on the International Space Station (ISS) for nine months. The issues began in June when their Boeing Starliner spacecraft encountered malfunctions, preventing its return to Earth. As a result, NASA sent the spacecraft back without them, leaving the astronauts on the ISS until an alternative return plan could be arranged. Their return was further delayed due to problems with the SpaceX capsule that was supposed to bring them home. After multiple postponements, the SpaceX capsule finally landed safely off the coast of Florida on Wednesday morning (IST).

PM Modi Hails Sunita Williams as a "Trailblazer": Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his congratulations to Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, calling Williams a "trailblazer" and an "icon." In a heartfelt post on X, PM Modi shared a picture of himself with Williams and her father, expressing pride in her achievements. "Welcome back, Crew9! The Earth missed you. Your journey has been a test of grit, courage, and the boundless human spirit. Sunita Williams and the Crew9 astronauts have once again demonstrated the true meaning of perseverance. Their unwavering determination in the face of the vast unknown will continue to inspire millions," he wrote.

He further emphasized that space exploration is about pushing human limits, daring to dream, and having the courage to turn those dreams into reality. "Sunita Williams, through her incredible career, has embodied this spirit. We are immensely proud of all those who worked tirelessly to ensure their safe return. They have shown us what happens when precision meets passion, and technology meets tenacity," PM Modi added.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from PTI.