Unique “portrait” of shuttle and International Space Station released

By NASA Headquarters, Washington, D.C. — Published: June 7, 2011

This image of the International Space Station and the docked space shuttle Endeavour, flying at an altitude of approximately 220 miles, was taken by Expedition 27 crew member Paolo Nespoli from the Soyuz TMA-20 following its undocking on May 23, 2011 (USA time). It is the first-ever image of a space shuttle docked to the International Space Station.

Photo by NASA

Newly-released portraits show the International Space Station together with the space shuttle, the vehicle that helped build the complex during the last decade. The pictures are the first taken of a shuttle docked to the station from the perspective of a Russian Soyuz spacecraft.

On May 23, the Soyuz was carrying Russian cosmonaut Dmitry Kondratyev, NASA astronaut Cady Coleman and European Space Agency astronaut Paolo Nespoli back to Earth. Once their vehicle was about 600 feet from the station, Mission Control Moscow, outside the Russian capital, commanded the orbiting laboratory to rotate 130 degrees. This move allowed Nespoli to capture digital photographs and high-definition video of shuttle Endeavour docked to the station.

The Soyuz landed in Kazakhstan and was taken to Moscow for routine post-landing analysis. NASA and the Russian space agency, Roscosmos, then processed the imagery as part of the standard disposition of spacecraft cargo.

Additional images and high definition video are being processed and will be posted on NASA's website. To view the still images, click here.

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LARS LINDSTROM from PENNSYLVANIA said:

The space shuttle program has been very exciting and interesting, both scientifically and as a monumental adventure. I´ve been following every mission from the start of the program, I´ve been struck by grief and sorrow when disaster hit, and I´ve been rejoicing in the successful missions, especially in the upgrading of the Hubble space telescope. But i suppose that the shuttle will be held in loving memory by the space enthusiasts, the same way the oldtimers remember the DC-3 Dakota, which could be repaired with a good toolbox, steel wire and Wrigley´s chewing gum. But science and technical knowledge moves on, and today we have the Dreamliner aircraft. Who knows what the next generation spacecraft will be and what adventure may come with that? Clear skies, everyone!

Submitted: 6/16/2011 2:22:47 PM (CST)

ARTHUR WAINWRIGHT from COLORADO said:

Great Pictures

Submitted: 6/10/2011 11:18:16 AM (CST)

KEITH MIRENBERG from NEW YORK said:

A beautiful view of the shuttle docked to the ISS which shows both the station and the greater curve of the Earth seen from this higher than usual manned orbit of 220 (to say 280 miles).

Anyone know if the curve has been enhanced by those fish eye lenses which distort the view?

Submitted: 6/10/2011 6:48:07 AM (CST)

RICHARD MCCONNELL said:

Very sad that this is not only the first but almost certainly the last shot of the shuttle and the ISS together. The decision to end the shuttle programme was far too hasty as there is no obvious successor, and the shuttle has cargo-carying capabilities not likely to be matched for generations into the future. The two accidents were unfortunate but inevitable in a completely new system like the shuttle. The early history of aviation involved many fatal accidents but the pioneers persevered against all adversity. We would still be on the ground if their efforts had been stopped as a result.
Richard McConnell

Submitted: 6/10/2011 3:23:23 AM (CST)

CHRIS RAYMOND from WISCONSIN said:

NASA has added roughly 30 more images to the website link above since releasing this news release. The images are awesome!

Submitted: 6/8/2011 9:06:57 AM (CST)

ROBERT MCCABE from NORTH CAROLINA said:

Awesome photo's!

Submitted: 6/8/2011 7:25:08 AM (CST)

	Sun	Sun	Moon
RISE	—		—	PHASE	—
SET	—		—	DISK	—