NEW DELHI: Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams has shared her experience of viewing India from space during her nine-month stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS), giving special mention to the Himalayas, the fishing fleet off the coast of Mumbai and Gujarat, and the country’s vast network of lights.
Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday, Williams described the breathtaking sight of the Himalayas, saying, “India is amazing. Every time we passed over the Himalayas—Butch [NASA astronaut Barry Wilmore] captured some incredible pictures—it was just stunning. You could see the ripple effect of the tectonic plates colliding, and as the landscape flows down into India, it transforms into a spectrum of colors.”
She also noted the distinct visibility of fishing fleets along the Indian coastline, adding, “When approaching from the east, as you near Gujarat and Mumbai, the fishing fleet along the coast serves as a kind of beacon, signaling ‘here we come.’”
Williams described India as a dazzling network of lights when viewed from space. “The impression I had was of a vast, interconnected web of lights. The larger cities stood out, with smaller cities weaving together in between—just incredible to observe at night as well as during the day. The Himalayas, of course, create an awe-inspiring backdrop as the landscape transitions into India.”
Expressing her eagerness to visit her ancestral home in Gujarat, Williams said, “I hope and fully expect to return to my father’s home country and reconnect with people there.” Williams’ roots trace back to Jhulasan village in Gujarat.
Williams and fellow NASA astronaut Barry Wilmore spent over 280 days in space after their originally planned eight-day mission—launched in June last year—was extended due to technical issues with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
