India (Commonwealth Union)_ Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended a heartfelt welcome to Indian American NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and the Crew-9 astronauts as they made their return to Earth after an extended stay in space. Taking to social media, the Prime Minister expressed his admiration, saying, “Welcome back, #Crew9! The Earth missed you,” alongside a photograph of him with Williams. The crew returned early Wednesday morning aboard SpaceX‘s Dragon spacecraft, completing their splashdown off the coast of Florida at 3:27 am IST. Sunita Williams, along with fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore, had initially launched to space on June 5, 2024, aboard NASA’s Boeing Crew Flight Test mission. Originally scheduled for an eight-day stay at the International Space Station (ISS), the mission extended to a remarkable 286 days after technical issues arose with the Starliner spacecraft. The extension meant that Williams and Wilmore faced over nine months in space, overcoming multiple challenges.
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Prime Minister Modi celebrated the perseverance, courage, and spirit displayed by the astronauts during their extended mission. He called their time on the ISS a “test of grit, courage, and the boundless human spirit,” emphasizing how their determination in the face of uncertainty had inspired millions. “Sunita Williams and the #Crew9 astronauts have once again shown us what perseverance truly means. Their unwavering determination in the face of the vast unknown will forever inspire millions,” PM Modi wrote in his message. The Prime Minister further lauded the contribution of the space community, acknowledging the tireless efforts of the teams behind the mission. He expressed pride in the success of the astronauts, saying, “We are incredibly proud…They have demonstrated what happens when precision meets passion and technology meets tenacity.”
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In the hours following the crew’s departure from the ISS, Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh shared a special letter from PM Modi to Sunita Williams, dated March 1, 2025. In the letter, PM Modi expressed his deep admiration for Williams’ accomplishments and her unwavering resolve. The Prime Minister recalled meeting former NASA astronaut Mike Massimino during his visit to India, where they both spoke with pride about Williams and her groundbreaking work. “1.4 billion Indians have always taken great pride in your achievements. Recent developments have yet again showcased your inspirational fortitude and perseverance. Even though you are thousands of miles away, you continue to remain close to our hearts. The people of India are praying for your good health and success in your mission,” the letter stated. PM Modi also reminisced about his 2016 visit to the United States, where he met Williams in person. He expressed his eagerness to host her in India, stating, “It will be a pleasure for India to host one of its most illustrious daughters.”
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The journey of Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore to space began with the Boeing Starliner mission on June 5, 2024. However, due to helium leaks and issues with the spacecraft’s thrusters, the crew was returned to Earth the following day. Subsequently, the astronauts were reassigned to the SpaceX Crew-9 mission. This adjustment led to a downsized crew, with Williams and Wilmore replacing other astronauts initially planned for the mission. On March 20, 2025, after an intense 17-hour journey, the spacecraft deployed its parachutes and safely splashed down in the Atlantic Ocean, marking the end of a successful and challenging mission for the astronauts. As the Crew-9 team returns to Earth, their mission will go down in history as a testament to human resilience and the relentless pursuit of knowledge beyond the stars.
