Sunita Williams’ space odyssey a story of strength and resilience

I was waiting for NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and her colleague Butch Wilmore to return safely to earth before filing this column.

What was to be an eight-day operation at the International Space Station was extended to over nine months. Why? Because the Boeing Starliner Crew Flight Test (CFT) developed major snags including thruster malfunctions and helium leaks. Not entirely surprising given the multiple problems, including sabotage and whistleblower leaks, that Boeing has faced. But Boeing’s technical deficit has been made up by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which mounted the rescue mission.

Just a couple of weeks back, on March 1, even Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi penned a heartfelt letter to Sunita Williams. He said he was speaking on behalf of all Indians who admired her greatly and were praying for her safe return: “Even though you are thousands of miles away, you continue to remain close to our hearts. The people of India are praying for your good health and success in your mission.” He said that he had brought up with US Presidents Biden and Trump the issue of her being stranded in space.

Modi added, in his own inimitable style, a personal touch, referring to both her parents: “Ms Bonnie Pandya must be keenly awaiting your return and I am sure that Late Deepakbhai’s blessings are with you as well. I fondly remember meeting him along with you during my visit to the United States in 2016.” Modi added a special invitation to India: “After your return, we are looking forward to seeing you in India. It will be a pleasure for India to host one of its most illustrious daughters.” The letter was made public on X on March 18, 2025 by Minister of State, Jitendra Singh.

Having already logged 322 days in space, Williams is one of the most experienced women astronauts in the world after these additional 286 days outside the earth’s atmosphere. She has become an international hero, so soon after International Women’s Day, observed on March 8. Her prolonged stay proves that not even the sky is the limit for today’s women. Williams has demonstrated her extraordinary resilience and confidence, far exceeding NASA’s operational needs. Her contribution to scientific research and station maintenance during the unexpected extension is also unprecedented.

We have so much to learn about what happens to the human body in space. We know that even long-haul international flights take their toll, including the almost unavoidable jet lag. Imagine how much stress the body would be subjected to with prolonged periods in space, without gravity, without normal activities that we so take for granted, without the food and sleep that we cannot do without, without even being able to walk or move about on terra firma.

William’s odyssey is all the more remarkable in that she didn’t lose heart despite the inordinate delay. Bordering on the possibility of being stranded, as in a sci-fi thriller, in space. Perhaps, never being able to return. Splashdown! The Dragon Spacecraft has actually landed off the coast of Florida, near Tallahassee. Williams remained focused and positive. She exercised regularly and, though she lost weight, remained quite healthy. Only her hair, which grew inordinately, also turned, in part, white. Yes, we do age faster when we are in space. Earth is, after all, our home; anywhere else is simply not the same.

What is also noteworthy is that though it is a NASA crew, the spacecraft that brought the astronauts back belongs to a for-profit corporation. Space exploration is now private enterprise. We must not forget that colonialism itself was promoted by joint-stock profiteering of which the most spectacular example was the East India Company, which conquered much of India. What lies ahead in the colonisation of space is still mostly in the realm of science fiction although Musk would like to put a man on Mars much before we expect.

Now I can see the four astronauts, including Williams, in their white suits sitting in the capsule, the first batch waiting to come out. Williams has just egressed from the capsule after the commander of Crew 9, Nick Hague, and Russian cosmonaut, Aleksandr Gorbunov. What a moment as she is stretched out on the mobility aid, waving, smiling, and giving the cameras a thumbs up. I can now close this column with a sense of relief and satisfaction which, I am sure, are shared by millions across the earth. Welcome back!