Before Apollo 11’s historic moon landing in 1969, David Bowie’s song about ‘Major Tom’ depicted an astronaut lost in space. In stark contrast, my family is celebrating a joyful event. The NASA astronaut in our family has returned to Earth. Welcome back, Chris Williams. On Sunday morning, Chris landed in Kazakhstan after an incredible journey of 102 million miles over eight months on the International Space Station. A recovery team guided him to the Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Chris has always been curious, a trait that began in childhood. Born to Roger and Ginger, he wore a baby outfit with astronaut illustrations. Now, he wears the U.S. flag on a real spacesuit. Chris has experienced two spacewalks, during which he repaired the space station’s robotic arms.
While aboard the space station, Chris and his fellow astronauts studied various scientific phenomena. They measured eye changes in zero gravity, investigated the human brain’s orientation in space, and examined bone density and DNA shifts. This work helps understand space travel’s effects on the human body.
In January, Chris became the sole American on the station when a colleague was evacuated due to illness. In June, a space station air leak led NASA to command Chris and other astronauts to seek safety in a smaller ‘Dragon’ spacecraft. Chris’s family anxiously awaited news from Earth until the issue resolved.
Chris gained media attention for his photography. From the station’s glass cupola, he captured stunning shots. For instance, during the Lunar New Year, he photographed fireworks over China. USA Today highlighted his skills, and astronaut Zena Cardman praised his work. In April, he posted photos of an object streaking across West Africa, believed to be satellite debris. Chris described it as a spectacular ‘light show.’
Besides his research and photography, Chris engaged with students from kindergarten to high school. He answered questions about space research for young learners. He explained the challenges of conducting experiments in zero gravity. Chris has academic credentials from Stanford and MIT, as well as a Harvard Medical School degree.
Students asked about space food, and Chris noted the quality upheld by scientists in Houston. He humorously demonstrated how water floats in space, earning a laugh during an online session. These engagements aim to inspire U.S. youth towards science and math careers. Chris promoted future space ventures, including returning to the moon and venturing to Mars.
In April, as the Artemis II mission orbited the moon, Chris watched from the space station, communicating with his astronaut friends. He even appeared in a ‘Fox News Sunday’ segment, astonishing viewers by floating off the screen, a first for the show.
Chris frequently connected with family. He spoke with his wife, daughters, sister Ashley, and parents during his mission. One call reached me while shopping at Macy’s. During a Sunday streaming session, he connected with family scattered across the U.S., Europe, and Panama. On Father’s Day, his live image was broadcasted at Trinity Episcopal Church in celebration of his father.
The congregation was deeply moved when Roger, his father, offered a heartfelt prayer for his son. The community asked for protection and a safe return for Chris. Reverend Shayna Watson joined the congregation in closing the prayer with a refrain: ‘Until We See You Again.’ Today is that day.
Juan Williams is a senior political analyst for Fox News Channel and an award-winning civil rights historian. His latest book is ‘New Prize for These Eyes: The Rise of America’s Second Civil Rights Movement.’
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