NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, whose father hails from India, has returned to Earth after an unexpected 278-day stay aboard the International Space Station (ISS). During her first press conference post-return, Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore shared insights on everything from their experience in space to the future of Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft. Amid political tension and the public’s curiosity, Williams offered a unique perspective on her journey, expressing deep gratitude for her mission and shedding light on her future plans, including a visit to India. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KsZglVQCAQA Glimpse of India from SpaceFor Williams, one of the highlights of her space mission was witnessing the beauty of India from orbit. “India is amazing,” she said, describing the breathtaking views of the Himalayas that she captured during her time in space. She fondly recalled how the majestic mountain range appeared to ripple down towards India’s plains, an awe-inspiring sight. When asked about her future plans, Williams promised, “I will be going to India for sure,” eager to connect with her father’s homeland.Williams also praised India’s rapidly advancing space programme, noting the country’s growing role in global space exploration. She expressed her desire to meet Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, a member of India’s Gaganyaan mission, who will be part of an upcoming private space flight with Axiom-4. "I hope to meet him soon," she added.The Stranded Narrative: Setting the Record StraightDespite the extended duration of their mission, both Williams and Wilmore strongly rejected claims that they were "stranded" in space. Speaking at the press conference, Williams said, “I never felt stuck. We were so focused on our work.” She clarified that any concerns about their safety were unnecessary, explaining that they were well-prepared for the challenges of extended stays aboard the ISS. “I hate to say that maybe the world doesn’t revolve around us, but we revolve around the world,” she said, reflecting on the dedication required to fulfil their mission.Wilmore echoed Williams' sentiments, dismissing the "marooned" narrative that had sparked political controversy on Earth. “Stuck? OK, we didn’t get to come home the way we planned,” Wilmore said. “But in the big scheme of things, we weren’t stuck. We were trained for this.”Their extended stay was due to a malfunction with the Boeing Starliner’s thruster, which initially delayed their return to Earth. However, NASA officials soon decided to keep them in orbit for an additional few months rather than risk returning with an untested spacecraft.Also Read: Elon Musk's SpaceX launches first human spacecraft led by Chinese entrepreneur on crewed polar orbitThe Political Storm: Focus on Mission, Not PoliticsThe astronauts' return was not without political drama. In early 2025, President Donald Trump and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk raised unfounded claims that the Biden administration had abandoned the astronauts for political reasons. Despite this, Williams, Wilmore, and Nick Hague—who commanded the Crew Dragon mission that brought them home—downplayed the political squabble, emphasising the unity and collaboration that are crucial for space exploration. “When we’re up there operating in space, you don’t feel the politics. It’s focused strictly on mission,” Hague stated, underscoring the collective effort of NASA, SpaceX, and the astronauts themselves.Wilmore also refrained from blaming Boeing for the issues with Starliner. Instead, he expressed shared responsibility, saying, “I’ll start and point the finger, and I’ll blame me. I could have asked some questions, and the answers could have turned the tide.” Both astronauts, however, remained confident about flying on Starliner again. “Boeing’s completely committed. NASA is completely committed. With that, I get on in a heartbeat,” Wilmore declared.Space and Science: A Golden Age for the ISSThough there was talk of the ISS being phased out sooner than expected, Williams, Wilmore, and Hague spoke with admiration for the scientific work conducted aboard the station. “We are in the golden age of the space station right now,” Hague remarked, highlighting the complexity and innovation behind the experiments they conducted. Williams, who served as the ISS commander for nearly six months, was especially proud of the progress made in research, underscoring the importance of the station in advancing human knowledge.Returning to Earth: Adjusting to GravityAfter spending nearly nine months in space, Williams and Wilmore began the difficult process of readjusting to Earth’s gravity. Their return, marked by a successful splashdown on March 18, was followed by physical therapy to help their bodies reacclimatise. Williams, ever the athlete, shared that she had already gone for a three-mile run just days after returning, joking that she had given herself a “little pat on the back.”Amid the media frenzy surrounding their return, the White House took the opportunity to highlight President Trump’s role in “rescuing” the astronauts, crediting SpaceX for the successful return. Trump had previously suggested that the Biden administration had intentionally delayed their return for political gain. However, Williams and Wilmore firmly rejected this narrative, focusing instead on the success of the mission and the teamwork that made it possible.As for their future missions, both astronauts expressed excitement about continuing their work in space. With the next flight of Starliner expected in late 2025 or 2026, Williams and Wilmore indicated they would be ready to board without hesitation once the spacecraft’s issues were resolved. The mission’s challenges only seemed to have strengthened their resolve. “It’s a great spacecraft, and it has a lot of capability that other spacecraft don’t have,” Williams added, demonstrating her unwavering confidence in the future of space exploration.