In her first press conference since returning to Earth, NASA astronaut Sunita Williams, who spent 286 days aboard the International Space Station (ISS), expressed that despite the unexpected extension of her mission, she never felt "stuck."
Initially slated for an eight-day mission with fellow astronaut Barry Wilmore, technical issues with their spacecraft led to an extended stay, making it one of the longest missions for NASA astronauts.
“We never felt stuck, it was a great experience,” Williams stated. Reflecting on their time in space, she mentioned that their focus remained on their mission, without awareness of the world below. "We were revolving around the world, not the other way around," she added.
Both Williams and Wilmore addressed the challenges faced during their extended mission, particularly issues with Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft, which contributed to their prolonged stay. While acknowledging responsibility for some of the delays, Wilmore expressed confidence in the program’s future. "We will fix them. We will make it work," he affirmed.
Williams also shared her awe of India from space, highlighting the vibrant colors and the network of lights transitioning from Gujarat to Mumbai. "India is amazing," she remarked, particularly struck by the view of the Himalayas.
Upon returning to Earth, Williams and Wilmore described their emotional reunions with family and the rehabilitation process. Williams expressed her joy at being able to run three miles after returning, and Wilmore shared moments with his loved ones.
Williams also mentioned her excitement for future space missions, including India's growing involvement in space exploration with private collaborations.
The astronauts returned to Earth aboard SpaceX's Dragon spacecraft on March 18, marking the conclusion of a historic space journey for both.
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