Astronomy Picture of the Day

Explanation: Birds don't fly this high. Airplanes don't go this fast. The Statue of Liberty weighs less. No species other than human can even comprehend what is going on, nor could any human just a millennium ago. The launch of a rocket bound for space is an event that inspires awe and challenges description. Pictured above, the Space Shuttle Atlantis lifted off to visit the International Space Station during the early morning hours of July 12. From a standing start, the two million kilogram rocket ship left to circle the Earth where the outside air is too thin to breathe and where there is little noticeable onboard gravity. Rockets bound for space are now launched from somewhere on Earth about once a week.

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Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff (MTU) & Jerry Bonnell (USRA)
NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.

Publications with keywords: atlantis - space shuttle Atlantis - ISS - international space station
Publications with words: atlantis - space shuttle Atlantis - ISS - international space station
See also:

• Cities at Night
• International Space Station Transits Saturn
• A Dark Earth with a Red Sprite
• Assembly of The International Space Station
• Earth and Milky Way from Space
• ISS Double Transit
• The ISS and a Colorful Moon

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