Out of this world! Crystal clear image reveals the UK’s expansive green landscapes and surrounding seas in stunning detail taken by NASA astronauts
- The picture was taken from the ISS on the 26th February at 9.25 in the morning
- It was taken by astronauts on board the ISS as it travelled past in low Earth orbit
- A camera with a 17-35mm zoom lens was used through a window on the station
- The space station circles the Earth at roughly 250 miles once every 90 minutes
NASA has released a staggeringly clear image of the UK and its surrounding waters taken from the International Space Station with a regular camera.
It shows the UK’s green lands and surrounding seas and parts of Ireland and France as well as the iconic ISS solar array wing.
The picture was taken by astronauts on board in low Earth orbit, as it travelled past late in February at exactly 09.25 (GMT) in the morning.
NASA has released a staggeringly clear image of the UK and its surrounding waters taken from the International Space Station. The picture was taken by astronauts on board in low Earth orbit, as it travelled past late in February at exactly 9.25 in the morning
The spacecraft’s altitude was 246 miles (396.328 km) away from Earth – about the same distance it takes to drive from central London to Manchester by car.
A Nikon D5 was used to snap the shot, with a 17-35mm zoom lens, looking through a window of the International Space Station over the sea between Wales and Ireland.
The space station circles the Earth at roughly 250 miles up (402 km), and travels at 17,500 mph (28.16352 kmph).
It orbits the planet every 90 minutes and bares witness to breathtaking views of different angles, countries and all types of weather and light.
Earth Imagery from the ISS creates a series of videos showcasing Earth from space, using its external high-definition camera.
These videos are taken in 6K hi-resolution, then integrated into videos for screensavers for public enjoyment, exploration, and engagement.
Last year, the International Space Station celebrated 20 years since it was first launched.
In its lifetime, the station has been home to 236 astronauts though the first batch of long-term residents did not arrive until two years later in November 2000.
The picture was taken by astronauts on board in low Earth orbit, as it travelled past late in February at exactly 09.25 (GMT) in the morning. The spacecraft’s altitude was 246 miles (396.328 km) away from Earth
The space station circles the Earth at roughly 250 miles up (402 km), and travels at 17,500 mph (28.16352 kmph). It orbits the planet every 90 minutes and bares witness to breathtaking views from different angles. Here, a space selfie taken by an ISS astronaut
Two decades ago, the Zarya module lifted off from Kazakhstan, ushering in a new era of high-tech cooperation in space.
Since its inception, the ideas of which actually date back to the 1930s, the station and its laboratory provided a unique opportunity for research capabilities.
NASA’s research activities on the space station span several scientific areas, including exploration technology development; microgravity research in the physical and biological sciences; human physiology research; Earth science; and education.
This morning we reported that a food shipment destined for the ISS rocketed into space yesterday to the six astronauts on board, in time for Easter.
The space agency said the shipment, consisting of Easter goodies include smoked turkey, pork chops and asparagus along with cargo to be used in new and existing experiments.
Writing on Twitter, NASA announced: ‘@NorthropGrumman’s Cygnus spacecraft is on its way to the @Space_Station with ~7,600 pounds of science investigations and cargo after launching at 4:46pm ET from @NASA_Wallops in Virginia.’
WHAT IS THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION?
The International Space Station (ISS) is a $100 billion (£80 billion) science and engineering laboratory that orbits 250 miles (400 km) above Earth.
It has been permanently staffed by rotating crews of astronauts and cosmonauts since November 2000.
Research conducted aboard the ISS often requires one or more of the unusual conditions present in low Earth orbit, such as low-gravity or oxygen.
ISS studies have investigated human research, space medicine, life sciences, physical sciences, astronomy and meteorology.
The International Space Station (ISS) is a $100 billion (£80 billion) science and engineering laboratory that orbits 250 miles (400 km) above Earth.
The US space agency, Nasa, spends about $3 billion (£2.4 billion) a year on the space station program, a level of funding that is endorsed by the Trump administration and Congress.
A U.S. House of Representatives committee that oversees Nasa has begun looking at whether to extend the program beyond 2024.
Alternatively the money could be used to speed up planned human space initiatives to the moon and Mars.