The International Space Station from Orbit
Credit:
STS-114 Crew,
NASA
The International Space Station (ISS) is the largest
human-made object ever to orbit the
Earth.
Late last month and earlier this month, the station was
visited and resupplied by
space shuttle
Discovery.
The ISS is currently operated by the Expedition 11 crew, consisting a Russian and an American astronaut.
After departing the ISS, the crew of Discovery captured
this spectacular vista of the orbiting
space city.
Visible components include modules,
trusses, and expansive
solar arrays
that gather sunlight that is turned into needed
electricity.