Chandigarh, Mar 19 (UNI) Haryana’s Energy, Transport and Labour Minister, Anil Vij on Wednesday informed the Haryana Assembly about the successful return to earth of Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams and her US colleague Butch Wilmore aboard SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft.

Vij emphasised that the House should express its happiness over their safe return and ensure Sunita Williams is informed about the resolution.

Addressing the Assembly, Vij said Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, who had been stranded in space for 9 months and 14 days due to spacecraft malfunctions, had finally returned safely. He explained that their mission was originally planned for eight days, but technical issues forced them to remain in space for an extended period.

He further stated that Sunita Williams’s father hailed from Gujarat’s Pandya district, and she proudly acknowledges her Indian roots. She never forgets to carry a copy of the Bhagavad Gita and India’s iconic dish, Samosas, with her on her space journeys. Given this strong connection, Vij proposed the Haryana Assembly formally express its joy over her safe return and communicate the resolution to her.

He added: “I would like to express our gratitude to the NASA scientists who worked tirelessly to accomplish this miraculous feat and ensured the astronauts’ safe return to Earth despite their prolonged stay in space.”

Notably, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore embarked on their space mission aboard Boeing Starliner in June 2024, as part of its first crewed mission to the International Space Station (ISS). After being stranded for nine months, they successfully returned to Earth, landing in the Gulf of Mexico aboard SpaceX’s Dragon capsule.

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