NASA astronaut Jeff Williams hasn’t even been in space for a month, and he’s already captured one of the coolest images I’ve ever seen. Yesterday, Russia launched the Progress resupply spacecraft into space. And the International Space Station passed right over the launch site in Kazakhstan at about the same time.
Williams writes in a Facebook post:
“Sunset occurred for us about a minute later and shortly after we caught site of the rocket ahead and below us from the Cupola. We continued to catch up to it until it was directly below. We saw the flash of 3rd stage ignition and the subsequent 3rd stage was spectacular.”
The images captured were breathtaking.
Progress is packed with more than 3 tons of supplies and equipment. Nearly 2,000 pounds of propellant will help with any orbital adjustments. 110 pounds of oxygen, 920 pounds of water and 3,161 pounds of dry cargo are also onboard. For Williams, it’s the little things in life that matter. “Fresh fruit is on the way!” reads the last line of his Facebook post.
Here’s what the Progress launch looked like.
If everything goes smoothly, Williams will be eating fresh apples on Saturday.
Follow Jeff Williams’ Twitter account for a daily dose of fantastic images
With Scott Kelly back on the ground, you might be looking for a new Twitter account to follow. Well, Jeff Williams is picking up right where Kelly left off. Just three hours he said good morning with a pair of early morning images of Boston, NYC, Philly, Baltimore and Washington DC.
#GoodMorning USA. Great views of Boston, NYC, Philly, Baltimore, and Washington DC. pic.twitter.com/r93F3jpGMb
— Jeff Williams (@Astro_Jeff) April 1, 2016
Yesterday, he gave us a stunning look at the coast of Mozambique.
Mozambique coast has one of my favorite coral reefs. Certain lighting conditions make the colors and patterns pop! pic.twitter.com/lkbBMsljB8
— Jeff Williams (@Astro_Jeff) March 31, 2016
Who wouldn’t want to kick back on those beaches today? As good as Mozambique looks, it can’t touch the video created from a merged panorama of the Madagascar coastline.
A closer look at the Madagascar coastline and Betsiboka River.https://t.co/Rb74qUthXo
— Jeff Williams (@Astro_Jeff) March 30, 2016
Here’s another merged panorama of Mount Kilimanjaro.
A closer look at the peaks of Mount #Kilimanjarohttps://t.co/KrIrD78u9y
— Jeff Williams (@Astro_Jeff) March 26, 2016
Man, I really hope Jeff keeps doing these. They add so much more life to already fantastic images.
Other ISS Twitter accounts to follow
Jeff Williams is just the latest to show us Earth’s beauty from the International Space Station. Tim Kopra and Tim Peake also share their views of Earth every day with us. Here are a couple of my recent favorites.
We see 16 sunrises every day – but I've never seen one as beautiful as this. Good morning Earth! pic.twitter.com/sle3NiTIYB
— Tim Peake (@astro_timpeake) March 28, 2016
Some #aurora last all through our 45-minute nighthttps://t.co/7j4bXwh7zE
— Tim Peake (@astro_timpeake) March 28, 2016
One of my favourite pics so far – Patagonia’s beautiful southern ice field pic.twitter.com/R2lVUEnw6h
— Tim Peake (@astro_timpeake) March 26, 2016
Unusual lakes in @Australia. @Space_Station #Explore pic.twitter.com/tqd9n6tMFw
— Tim Kopra (@astro_tim) March 31, 2016
And one more #glacier. #Patagonia #Chile @Space_Station pic.twitter.com/ImeX6Izmk9
— Tim Kopra (@astro_tim) March 25, 2016
Crater in western #Africa – crewmate @astro_jeff calls this the Earth's bullseye. @Space_Station #Explore pic.twitter.com/fFuUoiS0th
— Tim Kopra (@astro_tim) March 24, 2016
I could sit here and post pictures all day. Give Tim Peake, Tim Kopra and Jeff Williams a follow to enjoy views of Earth most of us can only dream of.
Alex Chavers