On Wednesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed warmly the homecoming of NASA's Crew-9, comprising astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who spent almost nine months grounded in space.
On a social media post on platform X, PM Modi congratulated their strength and said, "Welcome back, Crew-9! The Earth missed you.
Their mission has been a test of grit, courage, and the infinite human spirit. Sunita Williams and the Crew-9 astronauts have taught us the true significance of perseverance. Their unwavering determination in the face of the enormous unknown will always inspire millions."
He also hailed Sunita Williams' pioneering spirit, saying, "Space exploration is about extending human potential, being bold enough to dream, and making those dreams a reality. Sunita Williams, a pioneer and an icon, embodies this spirit throughout her career."
PM Modi also thanked all those who were involved in their safe return, stating, "We are incredibly proud of all those who worked tirelessly to bring them back safely. They've shown what happens when precision meets passion and technology meets tenacity."
Williams, along with Butch Wilmore, Nick Hague, and Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, landed on Earth on Tuesday evening in SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft. The capsule landed off the coast of Florida just before 6 p.m., marking the end of a long stay on the International Space Station (ISS). Williams, who had initially scheduled an eight-day mission, emerged third from the capsule, smiling and waving.
Read also| Watch| PM Modi Writes Heartfelt Letter to Sunita Williams Ahead of Her 'Homecoming'
