• Sunita Williams described India as "amazing" from space, highlighting the Himalayas and network of city lights.
  • She plans to visit her father's homeland and promote space collaboration with the upcoming Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla.
  • Williams recently returned to Earth after her eight-day mission was extended to over nine months due to spacecraft issues.

NASA astronaut Sunita Williams has described India as "amazing" from space and expressed enthusiasm about visiting her father's homeland following her recent return to Earth after more than nine months aboard the International Space Station.

Speaking at her first press conference at NASA Johnson Space Centre on March 31, Williams shared her unique perspective of India from orbit.

"Every time we went over the Himalayas, Butch got some incredible pictures," Williams said, referring to fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore. "You can see just like this ripple that happened when the plates collided, and then as it flows down into India. It's many, many colors."

The 59-year-old astronaut, whose father Deepak Pandya hailed from Gujarat, described her night-time observations of the country as "just like this network of lights from the bigger cities going down through the smaller cities."

She also noted how the fishing fleet off the coast of Gujarat and Mumbai served as "a little bit of a beacon" during approaches from the east.

Williams expressed excitement about visiting India and promoting space exploration alongside the upcoming Axiom Mission 4, which will include Indian Mission Pilot Shubhanshu Shukla.

Lucknow-born Shukla will become India's second astronaut in space since Rakesh Sharma's 1984 mission.

"I hope, and I think for sure, I'm gonna be going back to my father's home country," Williams said. "They'll have a hometown hero there of their own... But I hope I can meet up at some point, and we can share our experiences with as many people in India as possible."

Williams and Wilmore returned to Earth on March 18 after their eight-day Boeing Starliner test mission was extended to over nine months due to spacecraft safety concerns.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed their return, calling Williams "a trailblazer and an icon" whose "unwavering determination will forever inspire millions."

Edited by Annette George