‘India is beautiful from space…I saw how light connects people in the subcontinent’ | India News

You are in India after 12 years. What are your fondest memories from the last visit? Being in India with my father (in 2013) is one of my best memories. Seeing where he grew up and lived was incredible. Meeting family and friends in India was also wonderful. Unfortunately, my father is not with us anymore and I will not be going to his home state of Gujarat on this visit. But I am excited for this trip to India where so many supported our mission. I know so many here were praying for our safe return and I would like to use this opportunity to say, ‘Thank you’.This is your first visit to Kerala. Anything special that you are looking forward to?I am excited to see this part of the country! My father told me that Kerala is a magical place and home to many Indian saints. I am also excited about the Kerala Literature Festival. I love that books can offer everyone a way to learn.What role did books, stories and the arts play in your life?Reading was a huge influence on me as a child. I loved animal and mystery books. As an adult, I find historical novels/historical fiction interesting; it provides insight into the people who made history.Your recent mission was supposed to be eight days but became nearly nine months on the ISS. What did that unexpected extension teach you about yourself that a shorter mission could never have?Long missions are what I know, and I have been fortunate enough to participate in several. It has allowed me to really adapt to being in space and perform some incredible scientific research. Nine months is a long time, so one must be physically diligent to maintain bone density and muscle mass. The toughest part was missing time with my family. I also missed my dogs. My family knew I would, so they sent pictures as well as 3D models of them up to me in space. Dogs are just pure beings who love unconditionally. I am so fortunate to feel that love every day. The most incredible thing was how much support and love we got from not only family and friends but also from strangers.When Boeing’s Starliner experienced technical issues and the decision was made to bring you back on SpaceX instead, what was that moment like? How much does an astronaut think about the spacecraft they’re trusting with their life?A lot. The decision was much bigger than Butch (Wilmore) and I. We knew there were hundreds if not thousands of people working on this problem and their expertise was what we needed to trust. We were both happy with the decision. I think the most difficult part was waiting for the decision to be made. Having a clear direction makes any situation easier.How long did it take you to adjust to Earth’s gravity after your return in 2025?Similar to previous flights, but it just took a bit longer to get my running speed and endurance back. I am still working on it.You’ve spoken about having carried items like the Bhagavad Gita, Upanishads and even samosas into space in the past. What do these symbols of your Indian heritage mean to you personally when you’re so far from Earth? I took these things and some items from my mother’s family from Slovenia to space with me. I wanted to represent the people who made me who I am. I am very indebted to my parents and their cultures. They have provided me with a foundation that has helped me through lots of trying situations.You hold the record for the most cumulative spacewalk time by a woman, notching up 62 hours and 6 minutes across nine spacewalks. When you look at where women are in space exploration today versus when you started, what’s changed and what still needs to? There are opportunities for anyone who is ready for the task. I happened to be part of the space program during the construction and operation of the ISS which allowed me this chance. There will be many more opportunities for spacewalks on the moon. I am excited for the next generation of astronauts to break all of these records!Your father is from Gujarat, and you’ve spoken about trying to learn the language. How good is your Gujarati now?I am now retired and need to concentrate on learning the language…I will get better and that means hopefully spending more time in Gujarat.Rakesh Sharma famously told Indira Gandhi that India is ‘Sare Jahaan Se Achcha’ from above. For you, what does the subcontinent actually look like through the cupola?India is beautiful from space. I once described the Himalayas as the wrinkles on a skirt when bunched up. It is like earth getting bunched up from the tectonic plates shifting and running into each other. This time around I noticed all of the light infrastructure throughout the subcontinent. It is obvious that so many people live there and how light connects them. I also noticed lots of fishing boats off the coast, like beacons leading one’s eye to the coast.What are your fondest memories of the pioneering Kalpana Chawla?I remember her friendship and curiosity. I loved going on bike rides with her because we would inevitably stop somewhere and discover something — a new bird, or a new plant. There was always something in nature to share with her.After spending months orbiting the Earth, do you believe we are close to finding signs of life elsewhere in our solar system? We will get there someday…