NEW DELHI: Indian-American astronaut Sunita Williams shared her insights on how India looked from space during her nine-month stay on the International Space Station (ISS). She particularly mentioned the Himalayas, the fishing fleets along the coast of Mumbai, and Gujarat.
In a press conference on Tuesday, Williams said, “India is amazing. Every time we passed over the Himalayas, Butch captured incredible pictures. It’s amazing to see the ripple effect from the collision of tectonic plates. As the range flows down into India, it’s full of vibrant colors.”
She also spoke about the fishing fleet off the coast of Gujarat and Mumbai. “As we flew eastward toward Gujarat and Mumbai, the fishing fleet served as a beacon, signaling, ‘Here we come,’” she explained.
Describing India as a “network of lights,” Williams added, “When you look at India at night, it’s incredible. The big cities and smaller ones are all connected by a brilliant web of lights. And of course, the Himalayas are always there, acting as a stunning backdrop as we move across the country.”
Williams also expressed her excitement about visiting her ancestral home in Gujarat. “I hope to visit my father’s homeland and reconnect with the people there,” she said.
Williams and fellow NASA astronaut Barry Wilmore spent over 280 days in space. Their planned eight-day mission, which began in June the previous year, was extended due to technical issues with their Boeing Starliner spacecraft.
