Srinagar, Mar 19 (KNS):Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday praised NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and the Crew-9 astronauts for their safe return to Earth, calling their achievement a testament to perseverance and human spirit.
In a post on X, PM Modi wrote, “Welcome back, #Crew9! The Earth missed you. Your journey has been a true test of grit, courage, and the boundless human spirit. 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.”
He also acknowledged the efforts of those who worked to ensure their safe return, stating, “Space exploration is about pushing the limits of human potential, daring to dream, and having the courage to turn those dreams into reality. Sunita Williams, a trailblazer and an icon, has exemplified this spirit throughout her career.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelWe 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 fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore, both veteran NASA astronauts and retired U.S. Navy test pilots, launched aboard Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft in June for what was meant to be an eight-day test mission. However, issues with Starliner’s propulsion system led to multiple delays, prompting NASA to integrate them into its crew rotation schedule.
On Tuesday, Williams and Wilmore, along with two other astronauts, undocked from the ISS inside a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft at 1:05 a.m. ET (0505 GMT) for a 17-hour return trip. Their spacecraft re-entered Earth's atmosphere and made a successful splashdown at 5:57 p.m. ET, approximately 50 miles off Florida’s Gulf Coast under clear skies. (KNS)