Space is so incredibly beautiful. This latest batch of photographs from Expedition 42 on the International Space Station is truly awe-inspiring, of both the Earth and the station. Sit back, relax, and marvel in the wonder of our home planet.
Sunset over the Gulf of Mexico. Image credit: NASA/Terry W. Virts
Docking of the Soyuz capsule carrying astronauts Anton Shkaplerov, Terry Virts, and Sam Cristoforetti to the space station. Image credit: NASA/Anton Shkaplerov
Soyuz space ships: the closer one carried up the more recent crew, while the farther one has been in space longer. Image credit:NASA/Sam Cristoforetti
The last of the ATVs is docked to the International Space Station, ready to give it a nudge into higher orbit whenever necessary. The ATV design is the basis for Orion’s service module. Image credit: NASA/Sam Cristoforetti
https://gizmodo.com/watch-years-of-space-station-construction-in-just-a-few-1668478336
The shadows lengthening just before sunset as the solar panels catch the last red rays. Image credit: NASA/Sam Cristoforetti
“Moon reflecting on our solar panels and a bright aurora in the distance.” Image credit: NASA/Sam Cristoforetti
Excited to advance the #SpaceVine collection. Robot arm takes position as Earth and solar panels rotate. https://t.co/7pnnLmFQEw
— Terry Virts (@AstroTerry) December 9, 2014
Coasting over the southern Andes. Image credit: NASA/Sam Cristoforetti
The Japanese robotic arm outside the JEM laboratory window is gorgeous. Image credit: NASA/Sam Cristoforetti
The arm remained extended to deploy a Spinsat satellite. Image credit: NASA/Sam Cristoforetti
Spinsat satellite awaiting deployment. Image credit: NASA/Terry Virts
“Sunrise: I try to catch one every day. Reminds me of what a privilege it is to serve on humanity’s outpost in space!” Image credit: NASA/Sam Cristoforetti
Dublin, London, and Paris at night (with a hint of aurora!) Image credit:
The coast of Tanzania just south of Zanzibar. Image credit: NASA/Sam Cristoforetti
A sunny day in Florida. Image credit: NASA/Terry Virts
Clouds form hypnotizing patterns out in ocean uninterrupted by land. Image credit: NASA/Sam Cristoforetti
Streaks in the clouds from air traffic over Baltimore. Image credit: NASA/Terry Virts
Massive force of nature! Typhoon #Hagupit #Phillipines night fly-over last Sunday #SpaceVine timelapse. https://t.co/z2t4YUdWO0
— Terry Virts (@AstroTerry) December 13, 2014
An atoll in the Pacific. Image credit: NASA/Sam Cristoforetti
https://gizmodo.com/the-life-and-death-of-a-volcanic-island-1554228926
The Bahamas lit entirely by moonlight. Image credit: NASA/Butch Wilmore
Clouds and dust over the red dunes of the Nambian coast. Image credit: NASA/Sam Cristoforetti
Dextre lives outside. He’s “a good guy, but doesn’t hang out with us much.” Why? He’s remotely controlled from Canada. Image credit: NASA/Sam Cristoforetti
Dextre hangs out with the Canadarm. “From our Cupola view, it looks like our main robotic arm is Dextre’s neck and head. Not true, of course, but funny!” Image credit: NASA/Sam Cristoforetti
Snowy mountains and aurora over Montana. Image credit: NASA/Butch Wilmore
The astronauts set up a tree and hung socks in the lab module after a space-based office Christmas party. Image credit: NASA/Sam Cristoforetti
“I feel we’re navigating on black sea sprinkled with stars and the Earth with its moving clouds is the sky.” Image credit: NASA/Sam Cristoforetti
Late addition! One of the 15 sunsets on Monday was too pretty to not include as a post-publication update. Image credit: NASA/Terry Virts
