Look down from heaven

June 1, 2008 was launched the space shuttle "Discovery" with six crew members on board. He became the 154th spacecraft with humans aboard, launched by the United States. The shuttle flew to the International Space Station to deliver the largest unit - the main section of the Japanese module Kibo ("Hope"), as well as parts for a single toilet at the station.

Since June of last year until now it has gone into space three more American shuttle (November 15, 2008 «Endeavour» STS-126 on 15 March 2009 «Discovery» STS-119, May 11, 2009 «Atlantis» STS-125). And by the end of the program "Space Shuttle" that NASA is appointed in 2010, will launch five space shuttles.

One of the most amazing, beautiful and rare images - a picture made by astronauts during space programs. In today's selection you will find pictures of our planet taken from a height of 300 km and more.

15 ph via bigpicture

Shuttle «Discovery» takes off from launch pad 39-A Space Center. Kennedy May 31, 2008 in Cape Canaveral, Florida. (Eliot J. Schechter / Getty Images)





Shuttle «Discovery» takes off from launch pad 39-A at 5:02 pm. (Photo courtesy of NASA / Johnson Space Center)



Cumulonimbus cloud over Africa - 2/5/2008 (Image courtesy of the Image Science & Analysis Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center)



Cloud in the form of an anvil at sunset. (Image courtesy of the Image Science & Analysis Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center)



Storm clouds over the border of Libya and Chad, Africa - 10/18/2003 (Image courtesy of the Image Science & Analysis Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center)



Gulf of Mexico - 1/8/2007 (Image courtesy of the Image Science & Analysis Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center)



The appearance of clouds on the windy side of the island of Socorro, Mexico - 2/12/2000 (Image courtesy of the Image Science & Analysis Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center)



Golden sunset reflected in the Pacific Ocean - 4/26/2008 (Image courtesy of the Image Science & Analysis Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center)



Thunderhead going over the Midwest - 8/19/2003 (Image courtesy of the Image Science & Analysis Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center)



Dust storm over Mali, the Sahara desert - 6/6/2001 (Image courtesy of the Image Science & Analysis Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center)



Sunset over the Caribbean Moon - 10/10/2007 (Image courtesy of the Image Science & Analysis Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center)



Flashes of lightning, city lights, sunset, aurora australis, atmospheric glow and stars over Argentina -4/23/2003 (Image courtesy of the Image Science & Analysis Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center)



Cloud, dust storm over the central part of China - 6/3/2002 (Image courtesy of the Image Science & Analysis Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center)



Storm clouds over Central Africa - 5/4/2005 (Image courtesy of the Image Science & Analysis Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center)



The moon sets over Cuba. Because of atmospheric distortions, it seems flat, 2/24/2005 (Image courtesy of the Image Science & Analysis Laboratory, NASA Johnson Space Center)



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