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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday extended a warm welcome to NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and her fellow Crew-9 members as they returned to Earth after an extended mission aboard the International Space Station. He praised their resilience and determination, calling their journey an inspiration for millions.

“Welcome back, Crew-9! The Earth missed you,” Modi wrote in a post on X.

NASA astronauts Sunita Williams, Nick Hague, and Butch Wilmore, along with Roscosmos cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov, landed safely on Wednesday after their SpaceX Dragon spacecraft splashed down off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida.

Williams and Wilmore, originally part of an eight-day mission to test Boeing’s Starliner capsule, saw their stay unexpectedly extend to over nine months due to helium leaks and thruster malfunctions that rendered their spacecraft unsafe. The Starliner capsule was eventually returned to Earth in September without them.

“Their journey has been a testament to grit, courage, and the boundless human spirit. Sunita Williams and the #Crew9 astronauts have redefined perseverance, proving that determination in the face of the unknown inspires millions,” Modi said.

He emphasized that space exploration is about pushing human potential, daring to dream, and having the courage to make those dreams a reality.

“Sunita Williams, a trailblazer and icon, has embodied this spirit throughout her career,” the Prime Minister remarked.

He also acknowledged the tireless efforts of those who ensured the crew’s safe return, stating, “They have shown us the power of precision, passion, and the seamless fusion of technology with tenacity.”