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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline SEPTEMBER 18, 2026 | The Indian Eye 28

years, parts of it, and we have had some advancements, but it’s been a little
tough to continue. As we look to the end of the International Space Station, SEPTEMBER 11:
we also have to think about what types of investments we want to make,” she
added.
tion goals, including missions to the Moon. “Things have been working, so I Remembering Tragedy,
Williams said future investments would need to support broader explora-

don’t think folks in the U.S. government want to invest in making all of these ad-
vancements unless they are helping us in our pursuits of exploration,” she said. Recalling a Timeless
“So if some of these things help enlighten us on how we are going to build
our moon base, then yes, they will probably do it, but it all just takes some time.
So from the ground up, I think we have the opportunity to implement some of
these ideas,” Williams added. Message of Unity
Earlier in the session, Williams spoke about her own career and the evolu-
tion of human spaceflight, saying she was fortunate to be part of the construc-
tion of the ISS and work with international partners. IAPAC reflects on the 25th anniversary
“I was very lucky in my career, and I see some youngsters out there who I
hope will have the same type of career. I got to be part of the construction of of 9/11 and Swami Vivekananda’s enduring
the space station, working with our international partners and actually putting call for tolerance, mutual respect and unity
it together,” she said.
“It’s no easy feat, and I know India is ready for the challenge as well, along
with commercial companies all over the world, including VAST, who will be OUR BUREAU
building space stations. It’s hard work, but we can do it. There are smart human HOUSTON, TX
beings out there,” Williams said.
She said her three missions exposed her to the construction of the ISS, s America marks 25 years since
international cooperation, scientific experiments and the operation of a new the terrorist attacks of Septem-
spacecraft. Aber 11, 2001, the Indian Amer-
“My first mission was really about the construction of the space station. On ican Public Affairs Council (IAPAC)
my second mission, I got to capitalise on the international cooperation, fly up joins the nation in remembering the
with our Russian partners, and do a lot of experiments on the space station,” thousands of innocent lives lost and
she said. honoring the courage, sacrifice and
“And my last mission was, of course, flying a brand new spacecraft. Again, resilience that followed.
this is what India is going to be doing, what VAST is going to be doing as an ex- September 11 is a solemn remind-
ample -- not easy things. Sometimes those things come with a couple of hiccups, er of the devastating consequences
but the good side of those hiccups is you get to do amazing science and maybe of hatred and extremism. For Indian
some more spacewalks in the process,” Williams added. Americans, the date also carries anoth-
Williams said experiments conducted in space can take years to yield re- er profound historical significance.
sults, citing capillary-flow research as an example of how scientific work from On September 11, 1893, Swami
earlier missions can contribute to future space systems. Vivekananda stood before the World’s tions remains essential to a strong and
“So we did everything in space. Starting from my first flight, we did experi- Parliament of Religions in Chicago and diverse nation.
ments that sometimes take many, many years. Capillary flow, for example, may began his historic address with the words, That reflection takes on additional
help design future systems for space fluid transfer,” she said. “Sisters and Brothers of America.” Rep- meaning in 2026 as the United States
“That will be a result of some of the work we did on my very first flight, and resenting India and Hinduism, he deliv- commemorates the 250th anniversary
I saw some of those mathematical models come to fruition on my most recent ered a powerful appeal for religious tol- of American independence. It is an
flight, where we used that capillary flow science to figure out how to feed plants erance and mutual respect and warned opportunity not only to celebrate our
hydroponically and deliver the correct nutrients to those plants, which we might against sectarianism and fanaticism. nation’s history, but also to reaffirm the
need in future space stations or on a moon base eventually,” Williams said. In his closing words, Vivekananda ideals of liberty and equality and our
“All of these experiments don’t just happen right now. These are things that expressed a hope that still resonates to- continuing responsibility to strengthen
happen over time,” she added. day: “I fervently hope that the bell that the bonds that unite us.
She also recalled research involving stem cells, DNA sequencing, materials tolled this morning in honor of this For IAPAC, whose mission in-
science and biology aimed at understanding how humans can live and work convention may be the death-knell of cludes civic engagement and building
in space for extended periods. “We did some stem cell research up there, we all fanaticism, of all persecutions with bridges across Greater Houston’s di-
did DNA sequencing, lots of materials science, lots of biology experiments on the sword or with the pen.” verse communities, these lessons are
ourselves so we can understand how to keep people in space for a long period More than 130 years later, his central to our work.
of time,” Williams said. message remains strikingly relevant. On this September 11, we remem-
Williams said space exploration brings together a wide range of disci- The two September 11s are sepa- ber those whose lives were lost, honor
plines, from construction and international relations to advanced technical re- rated by 108 years and vastly different the first responders and all those who
search. “So it’s a myriad of things that go on in a space endeavour -- starting circumstances. One brought to Ameri- acted with extraordinary courage,
with construction and international relations, all the way to all the technical ca a message of understanding among stand with the families who continue to
parts of it,” she said. people of different faiths. The other carry that loss, and reflect on a message
“And I’m super excited for future spaceflight, because we have learned so demonstrated, with devastating human spoken in Chicago more than a century
much over the last couple of decades, and we have a springboard from that consequences, where hatred, extrem- ago that continues to speak to our time.
for these new, modern space stations and new transportation systems, which I ism and intolerance can lead. The Indian American Public Af-
know India is ready to take on, as well as a lot of other countries and compa- Remembering both gives Septem- fairs Council (IAPAC) is a nonpar-
nies,” she added. ber 11 a special resonance for Indian tisan, secular 501(c)(3) organization
The session also featured Group Captain Angad Pratap and Tom Shelley, Americans while offering a message advancing civic education and engage-
Vice President, Crew Partnerships, VAST Space, and focused on the future of for all Americans: our differences need ment, leadership and empowerment,
space exploration, scientific research, commercial space stations and human not divide us. Building bridges across and connections across Greater Hous-
spaceflight. communities, cultures and faith tradi- ton’s diverse communities.

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