Backdropped by a colorful Earth

Feb 14, 2010 10:46 GMT  ·  By
Endeavor is seen here backdropped by the Earth's horizon line, as it prepare to make its final approach to the ISS
2 photos
   Endeavor is seen here backdropped by the Earth's horizon line, as it prepare to make its final approach to the ISS

In the days leading to Endeavor catching up with the International Space Station (ISS) in low-Earth orbit, astronauts aboard the orbital facility kept a close eye on how the shuttle was fairing in its pursuit. As such, they were able to capture one of the most amazing pictures available of the spacecraft, a unique view that sees Endeavor backdropped by our planet's horizon line. Against strange shades of blue, orange, brown and black, the spacecraft appears as a silhouette, perfectly contoured against its surroundings, Space reports.

Usually, a shuttle is a sight to behold, and one that is considerably different from a black shape on a more luminous horizon. It is gleaming white, with a dark, ominous-looking underbelly covered in small ceramic tiles. These protect it from the fiery temperatures, reaching thousands of degrees that form around the spacecraft as it reenters the Earth's atmosphere. Its cargo bay is the size of a bus, and the space plane can carry nearly 20 tons of supplies and other equipment to the ISS in one go. So, one might argue, it's anything but small.

The new image reveals all the major features of the shuttle, including its thrusters, wings and nose. They are very clear against the background, even if both Endeavor and the ISS were moving very fast in their orbits. The picture will be added to the existing galleries, which also feature some amazing shots of shuttles passing the Sun, or in other breathtaking situations. Some time last year, even an amateur astronomer was able to capture a view of a shuttle crossing the Sun, while affixed to the ISS, using nothing more than commercially available equipment, and conducting the observations from his backyard.

But the STS-130 crew had some wonderful images in store for it as well. As they approached and prepared for docking procedures, mission specialists on Endeavor were treated to a wonderful panorama of the ISS, as it gleamed in the Sun, also backdropped by our planet's horizon, and atmosphere. “We've seen so many beautiful photographs of the space station. But to see it for real, especially as we approached in our rendezvous it is just beyond description. It's just so sharp. Very high-def,” said yesterday morning in an interview Kathryn Hire, who is an astronaut flying aboard Endeavor.

Photo Gallery (2 Images)

Endeavor is seen here backdropped by the Earth's horizon line, as it prepare to make its final approach to the ISS
The ISS shines bright in the Sun, as seen in this image captured by Endeavor astronauts as they were preparing to dock
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