Scott Kelly Appreciates Beautifully Fragile Earth From Sky High View

Summary: Scott Kelly appreciates beautifully fragile Earth from the sky high view of the International Space Station on the 323rd day of his Year in Space.

view of central and western United States: Scott Kelly @StationCDRKelly via Twitter Sept. 25, 2015

On the 323rd day of his Year in Space aboard the International Space Station, Commander Scott Kelly appreciates beautifully fragile Earth as viewed from his sky high view and shares other spacious thoughts in an Answer Time via Tumblr Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016.

In response to lighthousebythesea’s question, “How would you best describe the view of Earth from space?,” Commander Kelly succinctly observes: “Incredibly beautiful and at the same time very fragile, particularly our atmosphere.”

His answer recalls his gently nudging tweet Monday, Nov. 30, 2015. Commander Kelly's 248th day of his Year in Space mission coincides with opening day of the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 21) at Le Bourget Conference Centre near Paris, France.

Commander Kelly's tweet on opening day of COP21: Scott Kelly @StationCDRKelly via Twitter Nov. 30, 2015

His typical day aboard the International Space Station stretches from waking up at about 6:45 a.m. to ending work at about 7:30 or 8 p.m. A few leisurely hours are squeezed between ending work and going to sleep.

Thesecretlifeofyackers asks: “How much of your time is divided between maintenance, experiments, planning for future things like spacewalks, photography, life stuff (like eating etc) and down time?”

“We spend about 1/3 of our time doing science, 1/3 general upkeep and 1/3 maintenance and very little time for free time,” answers Commander Kelly.

Since beginning his Year in Space, alongside Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko, Friday, March 27, 2015, Commander Kelly enjoyably shares his experiences, via extraordinary sky high photographs, on Twitter. His followers currently number 888,000.

Thequeenandherswan asks: “What is the most entertaining thing to do in space? Do you ever get bored?”

“I never get bored because there is so much work to do. In my spare time, I like to look out the window and take pictures of the Earth,” Commander Kelly replies.

Photographs of Earth’s geography, taken from an altitude of about 250 miles (402 kilometers), provide key observational data for researchers on Earth. But photography is also an “enjoyable hobby” for Commander Kelly. His daily greetings include colorful sunrise and sunset images of Earth. Also Commander Kelly’s “unique vantage point” allows him to capture breathtaking images of Earth Art, the stunning palette created by Earth’s geographic canvas.

He considers his time in space, although hard, as a privilege and misses most “First, the people that are important to me. Second, being outside.”

Commander Kelly’s yearlong mission is expected to yield important insights for other NASA missions, especially for the hoped for, lengthy journey from Earth to Mars. Positive tweets and spectacular photographs reveal that, beyond his mission’s scientific value, Commander Scott Kelly appreciates beautifully fragile Earth during his Year in Space.

Commander Kelly’s Year in Space soon ends. His return to Earth is slated for Thursday, March 3, 2016.

Dillon (Tumblr moniker whatdoesntthrillme) asks: “I want to know how your views of Earth and humanity have changed since your first experience in space.”

“My first flight was seven days. Now I’ve been in space for more than 500 total, so I’ve had a lot more time to experience being away from Earth. So, I have a more empathetic view of the human condition and the condition of the planet,” replies the veteran of three previous space missions.

Commander Kelly's tweeted photo on day 312 of his Year in Space exemplifies Earth Art as Commander Kelly's sky high camera captures Richat Structure, a gigantic quartzite circle on Sahara Desert's western edge in central Mauritania, northwestern Africa: Scott Kelly @StationCDRKelly via Twitter Feb. 2, 2016

Acknowledgment

My special thanks to talented artists and photographers/concerned organizations who make their fine images available on the internet.

Image credits:

view of central and western United States: Scott Kelly @StationCDRKelly via Twitter Sept. 25, 2015, @ https://twitter.com/StationCDRKelly/status/647420271226392576

Commander Kelly's tweet on opening day of COP21: Scott Kelly @StationCDRKelly via Twitter Nov. 30, 2015, @ https://twitter.com/StationCDRKelly/status/671315948071231488

"5K times around Earth can seem like #GroundhogDay but still a privilege. #GoodNight frm @space_station! #YearInSpace": Scott Kelly @StationCDRKelly via Twitter Feb. 2, 2016, @ https://twitter.com/StationCDRKelly/status/694686169217552385

For further information:

"8 things we learned about life in space from Tim Peake's station commander Scott Kelly as he prepares to come home." Irish Examiner > Exam Viral > Science World. Feb. 13, 2016.
Available @ http://www.irishexaminer.com/examviral/science-world/8-things-we-learned-about-life-in-space-from-tim-peakes-station-commander-scott-kelly-as-he-prepares-to-come-home-381844.html

Peter Caltner @PC0101. "Central US, at night, by @StationCDRKelly, with labels @DaveAtCOGS @Rainmaker1973 @I_We_Gaia @B_Chorlton." Twitter. Sept. 25, 2015.
Available @ https://twitter.com/PC0101/status/647468200981069824

"Posts tagged 'answertime.'" Astronaut Scott Kelly - Tumblr.
Available @ http://stationcdrkelly.tumblr.com/tagged/answertime

Rife, Jeanne. "Scott Kelly from ISS: Earth's Atmosphere looks 'Fragile' and We Need to Take Care of It." NH Voice. Feb. 13, 2016.
Available @ http://nhv.us/content/16024307-scott-kelly-iss-earths-atmosphere-looks-fragile-and-we-need

Scott Kelly @StationCDRKelly. "5K times around Earth can seem like #GroundhogDay but still a privilege. #GoodNight frm @space_station! #YearInSpace." Twitter. Feb. 2, 2016.
Available @ https://twitter.com/StationCDRKelly/status/694686169217552385

Scott Kelly @StationCDRKelly. "Earth, the green glow of your atmosphere looks particularly thin and fragile this morning." Twitter. Sept. 25, 2015.
Available @ https://twitter.com/StationCDRKelly/status/647420271226392576

Scott Kelly @StationCDRKelly. "From space we are privileged to see the beauty of Earth but also our impact on it's environment. #COP21 #YearInSpace." Twitter. Nov. 30, 2015.
Available @ https://twitter.com/StationCDRKelly/status/671315948071231488

Scott Kelly‏ @StationCDRKelly. "That's all the comm I got for @Tumblr #YearInSpace #AnswerTime. Thank you for the great Qs!" Twitter. Feb. 13, 2016.
Available @ https://twitter.com/StationCDRKelly/status/698598693566439424

"A Year in Space." Time.
Available @ http://time.com/space-nasa-scott-kelly-mission/