India, March 9 -- NASA's Sunita Williams formally transferred command of the ISS to the Russian cosmonaut Alexey Ovchinin, days before her departure for Earth. The historic event highlighted mutual cooperation between Roscosmos and National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

Notably, the modification comes ahead of Williams's scheduled plan to board the SpaceX Dragon in a bid to return to Earth after nine months.

Speaking at the command handover ceremony, Williams thanked everyone who assisted her with the mission, including trainers, friends, family and control centers.

The Indian-American astronaut's leadership has been crucial to keeping the station running during her tenure.

"We will miss you," she said as she handed over the c...