Sunita Williams reveals how India appears from space at night: 'Pretty spectacular'

Sunita Williams describes India’s view from the ISS. (Image credit: X)

• Sunita Williams calls India's night view from space spectacular and connected.
• She says daytime views show amazing colors and the Himalayas' distinct features
• Williams retired from NASA after a 27-year career and three space missions

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American astronaut Sunita Williams made a candid appearance on Raj Shamani’s podcast, where she opened up about her journey as an astronaut in space and her Indian roots. During the conversation, she shared her experience of watching India from the International Space Station (ISS).

When Raj Shamani asked Williams how India looks from space, she explained that capturing the country from orbit is often challenging. “India is sometimes tricky to get a picture of because it’s a little bit hazy at times but sometimes it's awesome. So it just depends on the weather,” the former NASA astronaut said.

Williams describes India as spectacular, especially at night, as the cities are illuminated by white lights, creating a connected pattern visible from space. “At night, India is pretty spectacular because the cities are lit up. It’s white lights, and all those lights seem to be connected,” she shares.

“It’s almost like, when I see it, I think of nerves. Like pictures people have… of like… when they tell you there’s a nerve problem, and these nerves are connected. India is very connected with lights at night,” she said, adding that she captured a view during her last visit to ISS, which she has not seen in her earlier missions.

“That was one big impression from this time which I didn’t remember from last time, she said.

Speaking further about how India appears from space, she said, “Looking at India in the daytime, the colours are amazing. The Himalayas are absolutely amazing, and you can sort of see… like I have said this before… feels like where the plates bumped up into each other.”

About Sunita Williams

Sunita Williams, one of the most accomplished astronauts of her generation, announced her retirement from NASA, bringing an end to her remarkable 27-year career. The 60-year-old astronaut has been to space three times.