Celebrations erupted as Indian-origin NASA astronaut Sunita Williams returned to Earth after an extended nine-month space mission, with actors Chiranjeevi and R Madhavan among those welcoming her back.

“Welcome back home,” Chiranjeevi and Madhavan expressed on social media, lauding Williams’ resilience and achievements in space exploration.

Williams and fellow astronaut Butch Wilmore safely landed on Tuesday, bringing their prolonged journey to an end. Their SpaceX capsule parachuted into the Gulf of Mexico off the Florida Panhandle, hours after leaving the International Space Station.

The duo’s mission, initially intended as a test flight, turned into an extended stay due to technical issues, delaying their return for over nine months. Their safe arrival marks a significant milestone in space travel, drawing praise from admirers worldwide.