NASA astronaut Sunita Williams recently shared her perspective on how India appears from space, offering a striking description of the country’s landscape.
Speaking to the media following her extended mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), Williams reflected on the awe-inspiring sights she witnessed while orbiting Earth.
"India is incredible," she remarked, particularly captivated by the view of the Himalayas. "Every time we passed over the Himalayas, we captured stunning images. The mountains seemed to ripple down into India, creating a breathtaking sight."
She also spoke about the vivid colors visible from space, noting the striking transition as the terrain shifts towards Gujarat and Mumbai. "It stands out beautifully. You can see a network of lights connecting larger cities to smaller towns," she observed.
Williams expressed her enthusiasm about reconnecting with her father’s homeland and her excitement about India’s progress in space exploration.
"I’m looking forward to visiting my father’s home country and thrilled about India’s growing presence in space. The prospect of an Indian astronaut joining Axiom Mission is truly exciting," she said, acknowledging India’s expanding collaborations in private space ventures.
India has been making notable advancements in human spaceflight, particularly through its Gaganyaan program, which aims to send astronauts into orbit by 2026.
Williams’ remarks underscore the deepening collaboration between NASA and ISRO, with joint projects such as NISAR, an Earth observation satellite, further strengthening their partnership.
With over 322 days in space, Williams is one of NASA’s most experienced astronauts. Her reflections not only celebrate India’s stunning view from space but also highlight her pride in her heritage and her optimism for the country’s future in space exploration.