PM Modi hails 'trailblazer' Sunita Williams after NASA’s Crew-9 returns safely: 'Earth missed you'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday hailed the return of NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, along with the Crew-9 team, as a triumph of human grit and perseverance, following their splashdown in the Gulf of Mexico after an extended mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

In a post on X, Modi welcomed the astronauts back to Earth, saying, “Welcome back, #Crew9! The Earth missed you. Theirs has been a test of grit, courage and the boundless human spirit.”

He praised Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams as a “trailblazer and an icon,” noting that her determination in the face of uncertainty would inspire millions.

“Space exploration is about pushing the limits of human potential, daring to dream, and having the courage to turn those dreams into reality,” he added.

The prime minister also lauded the teams on the ground, saying, “We are incredibly proud of all those who worked tirelessly to ensure their safe return. They have demonstrated what happens when precision meets passion and technology meets tenacity.”

Williams and Wilmore, who departed the ISS aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule on Tuesday, March 18, returned alongside NASA’s Nick Hague and Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. The capsule parachuted into the Gulf of Mexico off the Florida Panhandle near Tallahassee, concluding a dramatic 286-day mission—far longer than the eight days initially planned.

The mission, which began on June 5, 2024, as the first crewed test flight of Boeing’s Starliner, took an unexpected turn when thruster malfunctions and helium leaks forced the spacecraft to return unmanned in September. Stranded on the ISS, Williams and Wilmore eventually hitched a ride home with Crew-9, which had launched in September 2024.

Earlier this month, Modi penned a personal letter to Williams, dated March 1, expressing admiration for her “inspirational fortitude and perseverance.” In the letter, made public after her departure from the ISS, he wrote, “1.4 billion Indians have always taken great pride in your accomplishments.”

He recalled discussing her contributions with former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino and revealed that he had inquired about her well-being during meetings with US Presidents Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

“Even though you are thousands of miles away, you continue to remain close to our hearts,” Modi wrote, extending an invitation to visit India upon her return and calling her “one of its most illustrious daughters.”

He also sent regards to her husband, Michael Williams, and best wishes to Wilmore for a safe journey home.

Williams, who logged 62 hours across nine spacewalks during her career, set a record for the most time spent spacewalking by a female astronaut. She served as ISS commander for three months during her extended stay. Wilmore and Williams circled Earth 4,576 times, covering 121 million miles (195 million kilometers) before their splashdown.

Their return, delayed by technical hurdles, was expedited in late January when President Trump pressed SpaceX founder Elon Musk to hasten the process, blaming the Biden administration for the setbacks.

SpaceX swapped a new capsule for a used one, shaving weeks off the timeline.