Majestic shuttle in unique station image
 

http://img836.imageshack.us/img836/5...nlabels976.jpg

It is a stunning image and one that is bound to be reproduced over and over again whenever they recall the history of the US space shuttle.

The picture was taken by Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli as he left the International Space Station in May in a Soyuz capsule to return to Earth.

Safety procedures mean the Russian vehicle would never normally be in transit when a shuttle is present.

It makes this the first-ever image of an American orbiter docked to the ISS.

Endeavour sits firmly on the bow of the station, which is moving across the surface of the Earth at a speed of 27,000km/h (17,000mph) and at an altitude of approximately 355km (220 miles).

Nespoli's camera is looking along the ISS's truss, or backbone, which carries the four sets of giant solar wings. The stern is occupied by Europe's robotic freighter - the Johannes Kepler ship.

The pictures were acquired on 23 May but were only released by the US space agency (Nasa) on Tuesday. They had been eagerly awaited by space fans.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-13691608


Note: 8 June 2011 Last updated at 00:21 GMT

Great post, sir Vendor :salute:

Amazing photo:yep:.

Careful. You might break your arm patting yourself on the back like that.
:rotfl2:

It is a good picture, though. Thanks. :sunny:

Italian astronaut eh? A rare specimen indeed!

There has been a few.

Mongolian, Saudi, or Afgani Astronauts now that's something else...

I have a big coffee-table book with some gorgeous pictures of Earth, and each page has a quote from a different astronaut in his native language and in English. It's in my storage right now, or I'd make a list. It's a pretty long list.

C'mon guys! Specimen! :woot:

"The specimen sits in the pot."

"WHAT?"

It is indeed:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...by_nationality

(Five listed under Italy, one Mongolian, Saudi, and Afghan each)

I should have the words in mind, thanks, :DL