Astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla on Monday virtually participated in talks and discussions with US astronauts Sunita Williams, Nick Hague, and Butch Wilmore at the India–USA Space Collaboration event in Washington, DC.
Speaking at the event, Williams spoke on her experience during Expedition 72 and stated that it was a super difficult challenge. She also highlighted the importance and value of teamwork, communication and mutual support.
#WATCH | IAF Group Captain and astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla virtually engages in discussions with US astronauts Sunita Williams, Nick Hague, and Butch Wilmore at the India–USA Space Collaboration event in Washington, DC pic.twitter.com/ctAY38oZBL
— ANI (@ANI) September 15, 2025
“It is a super difficult challenge to take,
but we have been super fortunate in our time to see different things,” Sunita Williams said.
“We have only taken different experiences that you have and added them into the spacecraft you are training for,” she added.
The US astronaut further stated that the mission lasted longer than expected, giving lessons on team support and understanding the importance of communication.
“We only thought we were about to be up there for just a little time, but the biggest thing we have learnt from our expedition is the team support, and it has been our honour to even have learn a lot of things.”
“There was a lot of communication, which really helps the team, but one of the most important things we have learnt is that one needs to listen to each other and that teamwork is equally important,” she added.
The Expedition 72, which started with the departure of the Soyuz MS-25 in September 2024, was the 72nd long-duration mission to the International Space Station.
The mission, where Sunita Williams served as the Commander, conducted 1,000 hours of research on studies including those of human health, materials science, biology and fire safety.
Their work involved the enhancement of the metal 3D printing capabilities in orbit, preparing the first wooden satellite for deployment, among other tasks.
On September 9, Shubhanshu Shukla had shared lessons from his recent space mission and called upon graduating students of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University (AKTU) in Lucknow to contribute actively to the making of a “fearless, ambitious and unstoppable India.”
Shukla was earlier conferred with an honorary Doctor of Science (DSc) degree at the convocation ceremony of the university.
Shubhanshu Shukla, who undertook a 20-day mission in orbit in June 2025, said he carried not only India’s tricolour, but also the aspirations of 1.4 billion citizens.
He also took with him scientific experiments designed by Indian researchers, marking the first time India conducted microgravity research in space.
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