Sunita Williams News LIVE: NASA astronauts begin 45-day rehab after splashdown - WATCH all Crew-9 return highlights

Sunita Williams News Live: After the splashdown, commander Nick Hague said: “What a ride. I see a capsule full of grins ear to ear."

Sunita Williams News Live: Sunita Williams now holds the record for total spacewalking time by a woman astronaut, with 62 hours and 6 minutes outside of the ISS.

Sunita Williams News Live: Till date, Sunita Williams has logged 608 days in space over her three flights.

Sunita Williams News Live: After completing her school education, Sunita Williams completed her graduation in Physical Science from US Naval Academy. She also completed her Masters in Engineering Management from the Florida Institute of Technology in 1995.

Sunita Williams News Live: School students and teachers hold placards as they celebrate with firecrackers the safe landing of astronaut Sunita Williams, at a school in Ahmedabad. Here's a glimpse

Sunita Williams News Live: Sunita Williams' expedition was not just about a nine-month-stay. logged the second-most time in space by a US astronaut. Know more here

Sunita Williams News Live: Astronauts undergo rigorous multi-faceted training to prepare for space travel. Once back on earth, they are put in rehab to adapt to Earth's ways. Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore would be in rehab for 45 days.

Sunita Williams News Live: As per NASA, their rehab program includes many modes of exercises and equipment to prepare astronauts for adapting back to Earth's ways.

Sunita Williams News Live: Egyptian Astronaut Sara Sabry, Founder and CEO of Deep Space Initiative, expressed happiness on Sunita Williams's return, stating that it was ‘great news’.

Sunita Williams News Live: Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are in a 45-day-rehab program which would help them adjust to the gravity in Earth.

Sunita Williams News Live: NASA shared a glimpse of the moment when Sunita Williams and other astronauts were deboarded from the Dragon. Here's a look

Sunita Williams News Live: The NASA astronauts rehab program has the following stages:
Phase 1 - It stresses on ambulation, flexibility, and muscle strengthening. Phase 2 adds proprioceptive exercise and cardiovascular conditioning. Phase 3 focuses on functional development.

Sunita Williams News Live: " “Now that Butch and Suni are home, I thank the good Lord and the people of NASA for all of their hard work, the testing and retesting to find out why the jets were misfiring,” US Senator Nelson posted on X.

Sunita Williams News Live: Students of a primary school in Telangana's Nalgonda district celebrated the return of astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore, reported ANI.

Sunita Williams News Live: The astronauts' rehab program has 3 phases, with the last phase being the longest one, which focuses on functional development.

Sunita Williams News Live: Miss World Krystyna Pyszkova congratulated Sunita Williams, stating that she was an inspiration. “Everyone should go and follow up on what's their heart desire,” said Pyszkova

Sunita Williams News Live: Sunita Williams and her husband Michael enjoy hanging out with their dogs, hiking, among other activities. Know more here

Sunita Williams News Live: Following the astronauts' splashdown, Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor also celebrated Sunita Williams' return. "And the stars have finally descended on Earth!" Anil Kapoor posted on Instagram.

Sunita Williams News Live: After the splashdown, Anupam Kher posted a picture of Sunita Williams on Instagram. "Welcome home dearest #SunitaWilliams. Iss Dharti pr hamesha aapka swagat hai. Aap mahan hai. Jai ho!"

Sunita Williams News Live: NASA astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore are now on a 45-day rehabilitation program to readjust to Earth's gravity after spending nine months aboard the International Space Station (ISS). 

Sunita Williams News Live: Following the NASA astronauts splashdown, PM Modi wrote on X: “Welcome back, #Crew9! The Earth missed you.” he added that the astronauts “unwavering determination in the face of the vast unknown will forever inspire millions.”

Sunita Williams News Live: ‘ “Prayers answered finally...So happy you are safe, back home and smiling,” Shilpa Shetty wrote on Instagram, and posted the astronaut’s video.

Sunita Williams News Live: Bollywood celebs including Shilpa Shetty, Anupam Kher, Karisma Kapoor, and others have expressed immense happiness upon the NASA astronauts' return.

Sunita Williams News Live: “It's great news. I think they must be really pleased and happy to be back on Earth after nine months in space finally,” said Egyptian Astronaut Sara Sabry, who is also the founder and CEO of Deep Space Initiative.

Sunita Williams News Live: After Sunita Williams and others splashed down off the coast of Florida near Tallahassee, they had some surprise visitors! Read here.

Sunita Williams News Live: Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore, and the other two astronauts would be staying at the NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston briefly, until doctors let them go home.

Sunita Williams News Live: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has proposed that Sunita Williams be awarded the Bharat Ratna for her nine-month-stay in space. 

Sunita Williams News Live: Space X's Dragon, carrying Sunita Williams, Butch Wilmore returned to earth on Wednesday. Here's a glimpse 

Sunita Williams News Live: NASA shared a video showing Crew-9 return highlights — from deorbit to splashdown by clicking the time codes in the description of this video:

Sunita Williams News Live: According to reports, Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore will receive around $1,148 ( ₹1 lakh) each as extra compensation for their extended nine-month ISS mission. Her estimated annual salary is around ₹1.26 crore.

As GS-15 federal employees, their annual salary ranges from $125,133 to $162,672 ( ₹1.08 crore to ₹1.41 crore). For the prolonged mission, their prorated earnings will be between $93,850 and $122,004 ( ₹81 lakh to ₹1.05 crore), the Economic Times reported.

Sunita Williams News Live: Sunita Williams is a well-known NASA Astronaut and US Navy Captain (Ret). She was born on September 19, 1965 in Euclid, Ohio to Dr. Deepak and Bonnie Pandya. She considers Needham, Massachusetts, to be her hometown. Read more about her and her space journey here

Sunita Williams News Live: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday said astronaut Sunita Williams should be conferred with Bharat Ratna for the challenges she faced while spending nearly nine months in space.

"The West Bengal Assembly would like to thank the team for rescuing Williams and another astronaut who were stranded in space for several months. I congratulate them, as well as Sunita Williams. I think she should be honoured with Bharat Ratna," Banerjee told the House.

Sunita Williams News Live: White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, "We saw the very best of America. After spending nearly 300 days aboard the International Space Station, Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams are back on Earth. These two incredible astronauts were only supposed to be up there for eight days, but because of the Biden administration's lack of urgency, they ended up spending nine months in space. Joe Biden's lack of courage to act boldly and decisively was a big reason why Butch and Suni did not make it back until yesterday. But President Trump doesn't waste time. Immediately after taking office, President Trump directed Elon Musk and SpaceX to rescue these brave astronauts alongside NASA... The President looks forward to welcoming Butch and Suni to the Oval Office when they are recovered. This historic mission brings new meaning to President Trump's promise to always look out for the forgotten men and women.

Sunita Williams News Live: On NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams's return to Earth, former ISRO scientist Nambi Narayanan said, “It gives great joy and pleasure, but I am observing it from a slightly different angle that this shows two things. One is that the private companies and the government sector both work together - how good it can be, how best it can be. This is a typical example. And this is one thing which I think we should follow. Of course, we are now in the process of bringing private companies into the picture, but there must be some caution. We should be very careful when selecting those startups; unless we are careful, we will have a problem. The second thing we learned from this experience is - the international collaboration.…”

Sunita Williams News Live: "Welcome back home", actors Chiranjeevi and R Madhavan said on Wednesday as NASA astronaut Sunita Williams returned to Earth after a nine-month space exploration mission.

In a post on social media platform X, Chiranjeevi hailed the duo's return to Earth as both "historic" and "heroic".

"WELCOME BACK TO EARTH. Sunita Williams & Butch Wilmore!! HISTORIC & HEROIC ‘HOME’ COMING!!! Went for 8 Days to Space & Returned after 286 Days, after an Astonishing 4577 orbits around earth !

"Your Story is Unmatchably Dramatic, Utterly Nerve - Wracking , Unbelievably Nail Baiting Thriller & The Greatest Adventure Ever. A True Blue Blockbuster!! More Power To You!!! @Astro_Suni. Kudos to #SpaceXDragon #Crew9 for bringing them back ! #SunitaWilliams (sic)," he wrote.

Madhavan shared a video of Williams coming out of the SpaceX capsule and said the prayers of the whole world have been answered.

"Welcome back to Earth our Dear Dear Sunita Williams. #sunitawilliams ..Our prayers have been answered... so wonderful to see you safe and smiling. After more than 260 uncertain days in space this is all Gods grace and millions of praying souls prayers being answered .. Great Job all at #spacexfalcon9 #nasa AND the entire crew. God bless you," he said.

Actor and former Miss World Manushi Chhillar said that she has always admired women like Williams.

"Moments like these define humanity! While we make attempts to advance our research and technology, our resilience during difficult times defines us... Welcome back!!" she wrote on X.

"#splashdown," wrote actor Trisha Krishan on her Instagram Stories.

Sunita Williams News Live: President Droupadi Murmu said the Crew-9's historic journey is a tale of determination, teamwork and extraordinary courage.

“Congratulations to the entire team behind the safe return of NASA’s Crew 9 mission on Earth! India's daughter Sunita Williams and her fellow astronauts have inspired everyone with their perseverance, dedication and never-say-die spirit.,” she wrote on X.

“I salute their unwavering resolve and wish them excellent health!,” she added

Sunita Williams News Live: On NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams's return to Earth, Rajya Sabha MP Rekha Sharma says, "I would like to give her my best wishes. We wish her good health. We are looking forward to meeting her once she comes to India. We welcome her..."

Sunita Williams News Live: On NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams's return to Earth, Director of the Space Applications Centre (SAC), Nilesh M Desai, said, as quoted by ANI, "... Nine months is a long period for staying in space... The maximum duration of a space stay is restricted to six months... A longer stay is detrimental to the physical and psychological health of the astronauts... However, their three-month longer stay could have prompted research activities and experiments... Scientists and the medical fraternity will also get a chance to study the impact of space on these returning astronauts... Like the impact of radiation and the microgravity environment during a prolonged stay... These experiments will go a long way in enhancing our knowledge about the impact of space on various activities of humans, which will help us in our aim of working towards building space tourism or colonies in space, on the Moon, or on Mars."

Sunita Williams News Live: West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday expressed happiness for the "daughter of India" Sunita Williams after she returned from space after spending more than nine months there.

"Welcome Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore back to Earth, finally and safely, after so many days. Our daughter of India returns to us, and we are deeply deeply happy and elated. We are profoundly happy for Butch Wilmore also. Hail their courage, hail their return, hail human glory!" Banerjee said in a post on X.

"I congratulate the rescue team for their overwhelming support and success," she added.

Sunita Williams live updates: Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu hailed the return of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams to Earth, appreciating her resilience and dedication.

In a post on X, Khandu posted, "Welcome Home, Sunita Williams! Immense happiness and pride as Indian-origin astronaut Sunita Williams returns safely to Earth after her inspiring mission aboard the ISS! Her resilience, dedication, and pioneering spirit continue to motivate millions, proving that the sky is not the limit -- it's just the beginning."

"Wishing her a smooth recovery and looking forward to her next adventure," the chief minister added.

Sunita Williams News Live: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday expressed happiness over the safe return of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams and her fellow Crew-9 members to Earth, PTI reported.

"I extend my heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to NASA, SpaceX and astronauts for their successful return to Earth," the statement quoted the chief minister as saying.

Sunita Williams News Live: Aam Aadmi Party leader Raghav Chadha, speaking to news agency ANI, hailed NASA astronaut Sunita Williams upon her safe return to Earth from space.

"Sunita Williams is the name of such a person who has given a new definition of the greatness and strength of struggle to the country and the world. I salute her... She fought this battle with strong willpower and now after, eight months, she has returned safely to Earth," Chadha told ANI.

He further congratulated Williams and said that she has set a new example, adding that many generations will take inspiration from her struggle.

Sunita Williams News Live: Defence minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday expressed happiness over the safe return of Sunita Williams and the Crew-9 members.

He said that they have rewritten the history of human endurance and perseverance in space.

"Delighted at the safe return of NASA's #Crew9 on earth! The crew comprising of India's daughter Sunita Williams and other astronauts have rewritten the history of human endurance and perseverance in Space. Sunita Williams' incredible journey, unwavering dedication, fortitude and fighting spirit will inspire millions across the globe," Singh wrote in a post on X.

He said that her safe return is a moment of celebration for space enthusiasts and the entire world.

"Her courage and achievements make us all proud. Congratulations and a big thank you to all stakeholders for bringing them back safely on earth," Singh further said in his post.

Sunita Williams News Live: On NASA Astronaut Sunita Williams's return to Earth, Egyptian Astronaut, Founder and CEO of Deep Space Initiative, Sara Sabry, said, “It's great news. I think they must be really pleased and happy to be back on Earth after nine months in space finally. Being in space is such an incredible opportunity. Not many people get to do it, so I'm sure they've done the best that they can to make the mission successful and to make it as productive as possible.”

“There's so much research being done on the International Space Station. They never had a moment of free time, even because it's such a precious time to be at the space station. But I'm sure they're finally pleased to go back home, to go back to see their families, to drop a pen on the floor. I'm excited for them to go see their families and just eat good food,” she further told ANI.

Sunita Williams News Live: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Wednesday expressed happiness over the safe return of NASA astronaut Sunita Williams to Earth, PTI reported.

In the Assembly, Stalin, after describing the stay of the astronauts, Butch Wilmore and Sunita Williams, at the International Space Station for 287 days and the issues they faced, said their safe return has "made us all happy."

Sunita Williams News Live: Gujarat chief minister Bhupendra Patel extended congratulations to NASA astronaut Sunita Williams who returned to Earth early on Wednesday after having spent over nine months in space.

"Heartfelt congratulations to our very own Sunita Williams and the #Crew9 astronauts on their safe return to Earth after an extraordinary nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station. Their unwavering dedication and resilience have been a beacon of inspiration for millions," Patel said in a post on X.

He further added, "We, in India, take immense pride in Sunita's connection to our land, celebrating her as a shining example of our shared heritage and aspirations."

Sunita Williams News Live: The Puducherry Assembly on Wednesday hailed NASA astronaut Sunita Williams on her return to Earth after a nine-month-long space exploration mission, PTI reported.

Speaker R Selvam, who paid glowing compliments to Williams and other astronauts in the House, referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appreciation of the bravery of the astronaut.

Sunita Williams News Live: NASA astronaut Sunita Williams’ return to Earth at the conclusion of the scientific mission to the space station was more than a homecoming. It was a historic triumph of perseverance, proving that determination and courage transform adversity into achievement, HT quoted Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi as saying on Wednesday.

Sunita Williams News Live: Jharkhand governor Santosh Gangwar expressed happiness over the safe return of Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore and said that their patience, courage and confidence have a set of new example of inspiration.

"Heartiest congratulations to Indian-origin American astronaut Sunita Williams on her safe return after a 9-month adventurous journey in space! Their patience, courage and confidence have set a new example of inspiration," Governor Gangwar said in a post on X.

The governor also extended "heartiest congratulations to all the scientists associated with this historic mission".