1 / 14
cupola-iss022e080014
Space-faring humans have called the International Space Station home for 10 years now, but the orbital laboratory only recently got a window worthy of its stunning views.
The Cupola (pronounced "kyoo-pel-ah") is a seven-paned geometric dome that boasts the biggest spacecraft window ever: a central, circular pane with a 31-inch diameter. Combined with six other trapezoidal windows, the device offers a nearly unimpeded view of space and the big blue marble zipping by 220 miles below.
Since Feb. 15, 2010, astronauts, cosmonauts and others armed with ridiculously huge cameras and lenses have documented the Cupola experience.
Here we offer the best shots taken from, and of, the module windows so far.
See Also:
- Photo: Looking Back at the Space Station From Earth
- What's It Like to Fly the Space Shuttle? We Find Out
- Photo: Docked Space Shuttle and Station Cross the Sun
- Space Station Narrowly Misses Collision With Space Debris
- Video: Huge Hurricanes Seen From Space
Follow us on Twitter @davemosher and @wiredscience, and on Facebook.
