India-born American astronaut Sunita Williams on Wednesday congratulated India's space scientists on the 10th successful launch of the PSLV rocket from the spaceport at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh.
"Congratulations, what a great accomplishment," Sunita said, speaking via satellite from the International Space Station with journalists and students who gathered at the American Centre in New Delhi.
Responding to a query, she described India as 'colourful and really beautiful.'
"It is beautiful to see the countryside. There are so many colours. I think I have mentioned that before how colourful it is being in India. From the space, it is the same," she said.
"We can see the green on the fields, the red in the mountains ... and the snow. It is really beautiful," Sunita said, adding that the space crew had the luxury of flying over India a number of times.
On sending more Indians to the space, she said: "Be it from India or from anywhere else in the world I think it is absolutely a great idea. It allows people to work together from all different backgrounds and professions."
As she signed off after a 10-minute interaction, it became clear that the success of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle, which carried four satellites into space, was still on her mind.
"Once again, congratulations for the spectacular Wednesday launch," she said.