Divja Hope
BBC India
"When you look at the Earth from above, arguments and conflicts seem completely bizarre."
For Sunita "Sunny" Williams, an astronaut who worked for the US space agency NASA for nearly three decades, the view of our planet from space left a lasting impression.
It shaped the way he experiences humanity, technology, and the notion of home.
During three long missions aboard the International Space Station (ISS), 60-year-old Williams spent more than 600 days in orbit.
She achieved a record number of spacewalks among female astronauts.
From space, borders and conflicts lose their significance, she says.
"When you look down at our planet, you realize we're all here together, in one place," she says.
"Same water, same air, same land masses."
Such a perspective further reinforces the value of empathy, says Williams.
"Maybe we all just need to take a moment, to go somewhere in nature."
"And let's listen to each other, because everyone probably has a good attitude."
Extended space mission
Williams, who retired in December 2025 after 27 years of service at NASA, says she remembers not only the missions, but also the many people she worked with.
"I think about all the wonderful people who have guided me, mentored me, and brought me to this level," she says.
Her last trip to space was scheduled for 2024. it only lasts a few days, but due to technical problems with Boeing's Starliner spacecraft (Starliner) had to stay on the International Space Station for more than nine months.
She accepted this calmly, because she loves being in space.
"I had the opportunity to do many of the things I love - looking out the window, keeping a diary, conducting experiments."
"It's an incredible laboratory."
See how astronauts ingest liquids in space
She performed scientific experiments, repaired equipment, trained to work with a robotic arm, held conferences with teams on Earth, and practiced for hours every day.
"Every day is different and that's what makes it so much fun," he says.
However, the extended stay was more difficult emotionally.
She already had plans with her family, as well as with her mother, who is over 80 years old.
"I felt like it was a bit of a waste of time, because I wasn't with my mother, and I didn't spend much time with my niece and nephew," Williams says.
However, her family's support was her main pillar.
"They told me, 'Go ahead, enjoy yourself up there, think about us, and come back safely in the spacecraft.'"
"That really calmed me down."
Watch the video of astronauts returning to Earth after nine months in space
'Homecoming' to a changing India
Williams, who is of Indian descent, recently visited the country for the first time in more than a decade.
She attended the Literature Festival in Kozhikode, a city in the western state of Kerala.
During that visit to the capital, New Delhi, she met with students, scientists, and the public and discussed her time in space and the unexpected final chapter of her career.
Each visit to India is noticeably different from the last, he says.
This time, she was particularly impressed by India's growing ambitions in the fields of science and innovation.
"People are ready to tackle all sorts of challenges in technology, and that includes space exploration," Williams explains.
He has a deep personal connection with India.
Residents of Julasan, her ancestral village in the state of Gujarat, have long celebrated her successes as their own.
"It's really very moving," Williams says.
"I was there with my father and family, which made it all the more emotional. I know these people."
Artificial Intelligence, Research and India's Potential
Williams says that artificial intelligence is a powerful tool in science and space missions, but that there are limitations.
"Artificial intelligence can process data, calculate and sort information much faster," he explains.
"And robots can perform routine tasks so humans can focus on decision-making."
"That's not the most important part of the job."
"It is a tool that helps us continue our research."
"India can achieve anything it dreams of," he says.
He adds that people are a huge power on planet Earth.
"There are many smart people who are capable of doing amazing things."
"I, for example, absolutely did not expect my job to involve going into space," she concludes.
In the future, he wants to travel, spend more time with his family, and take on new challenges.
He wants to explore other parts of India - from the beaches of Kerala to the mountains of Ladakh.
"I'm a mountain guy."
"I have to go that way sometime."
Reflecting on what the universe has taught her, she pauses for a moment and says:
"Be patient and listen to what others have to say."
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