The International Space Station (ISS) orbits the Earth at breakneck speeds from a height of about 250 miles (402km). From this incredible vantage point, NASA’s astronauts fly over the Earth’s natural wonders and approximately 90 percent of the human race. The space station also happens to hurtle through space at five miles an hour and circles the planet 16 times in a single day. All of these otherworldly factors combined, contribute to some of the most breaking pictures of Earth anyone has ever taken.
NASA said on Twitter: “We haven’t seen a photo of our home planet we didn’t like!
“While living and working 250 miles above Earth, crew members aboard the @Space_Station captured these mesmerising images of the place we call home.”
Right this very moment, three American astronauts are working on the ISS.
The NASA crew members are Christina Koch, Nick Hague and Andrew Morgan alongside colleagues Luca Parmitano from Italy and Russian cosmonauts Alexander Skvortsov and ISS Commander Alexey Ovchinin.
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Mount Shasta in California
This beautiful photograph reveals the snowy peak of Mount Shasta – a possibly active volcano in Northern California.
NASA said: “Mount Shasta in California is pictured from the International Space Station as the orbital complex orbited 256 miles above the Pacific Ocean off the west coast of the United States.”
Mount Shasta stands tall at an elevation of nearly 14,180ft and sits at the Southern edge of the Cascade Range of mountains.
The Californian volcano last erupted in 1786 and was first climbed by humans in 1854.
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The Canadarm2 robotic arm over Mongolia
This NASA photo focuses on the space station’s robotic arm dubbed the Canadarm2.
ISS astronauts use the tool to grab spacecraft and cargo capsules docking with the space station.
NASA said: “The Canadarm2 robotic arm is positioned for upcoming training activities ahead of the arrival and capture of the SpaceX Dragon cargo craft.
“The International Space Station was orbiting 257 miles over Mongolia when an Expedition 60 crewmember took this photograph.”
The dreamy photo also shows intricate swirls of clouds formations covering our blue planet.
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The Volga River flows into the Caspian Sea
This beautiful mix of blue, green and brown colours is the Volga River at the point where it meets the Caspian Sea.
The Volga is the longest river in Europe and runs across the European half of Russia.
NASA said: “The Volga River is the longest river in Europe and runs through Russia with its delta flowing into the Caspian Sea just south of the Kazakhstan border.
“The International Space Station was orbiting above the Caspian Sea at an altitude of 256 miles when this photograph was taken during Expedition 60.”
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The Sahara desert in Algeria
This beautiful picture is not a watercolour painting but rather the Sahara desert in Algeria.
The Sahara is the largest desert on the planet and it stretches over North Africa across Algeria, Chad, Egypt, Libya, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Sudan and Tunisia.
NASA said: “A portion of the Sahara desert in Algeria is pictured as the International Space Station orbited 260 miles above North Africa.”
Approximately 31 percent of the African continent is covered by the Sahara’s sands.