March 1, 2016 at 4:18 pm

NASA Shares the 45 Best Pics from Scott Kelly’s #YearInSpace

by twistedsifter

 

On March 27, 2015, NASA astronaut Scott Kelly launched to the International Space Station. He surpassed the previous record for time spent in space by a U.S. astronaut on Oct. 16, 2015. After his return, he will have spent a total of 520 days in space across four space missions.

During the 340 days of this mission – which spanned four space station expeditions – Kelly and his one-year crewmate, Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko, have participated in a variety of research that will help scientists better understand how the human body reacts and adapts to long-duration spaceflight. That knowledge will play a critical role in future NASA missions deeper into the solar system and on the Journey to Mars, in which a round-trip mission is likely to last 500 days or longer.

In the last 340 days, Kelly has shared hundreds of incredible photos from space on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

NASA recently shared a 45-picture Flickr gallery entitled, Best Pics from #YearInSpace. You can find all of the stunning images below.

 

 

1.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (14)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo of an aurora taken from the International Space Station to Twitter on August 15, 2015 with the caption, “Another pass through #Aurora. The sun is very active today, apparently. #YearInSpace”.

 

2.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (42)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo of the polar vortex taken from the International Space Station to Twitter on February 14, 2016 with the caption, “That #polarvortex even looks cold from here! #Burr! #YearInSpace”.

 

3.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (40)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Earth observation taken during a night pass by the Expedition 46 crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo on Instagram with the caption, “Day 318. Over a #Shanghai night. Wishes for a happy #ChineseNewYear! #GoodNight from @iss! #YearInSpace #LunarNewYear #YearoftheMonkey #China #earth #space #spacestation #iss”

 

4.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (15)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo taken inside the International Space Station after a cargo delivery of fresh fruits and vegetables on Instagram with the caption, “#TuesdayTransformation Enjoying the fruits of labor, literally. #YearInSpace #zeroG #fresh #fruit #ISSCargo #HTV5 #spacefood #space”.

 

5.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (9)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Night Earth observation of Japan taken by Expedition 44 crewmember Scott Kelly, with a Soyuz Spacecraft connected to the Mini Research Module 1 (MRM1), and a Progress Spacecraft visible. Kelly posted this photo to Twitter on July 25 with the caption, “#Goodevening #Japan. Showing @Astro_Kimiya how to take pictures of #Earth at night. #YearInSpace.”

 

6.

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Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo of Spain taken from the International Space Station on Instagram with the caption, “Color palette of the #Spanish coast is an appealing morning view. #GoodMorning from @ISS! #YearInSpace #colors #colorful #earth #space #spacestation #iss #morning”.

 

7.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (29)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Earth observation taken during a day pass by the Expedition 46 crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo on Twitter with the caption, “Cool frozen lake in #Himalayas! #YearInSpace”

 

8.

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Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this picture taken from the International Space Station to Twitter on July 13, 2015 with the caption, “#GoodMorning #Aurora! Good to see you again. #YearInSpace”.

 

9.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (26)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo taken from the International Space Station to Twitter on Dec. 26, 2015 with the caption, “Glass bottom spaceship over the #Bahamas! #GoodMorning from @Space_Station! #YearInSpace”.

 

10.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (32)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Close-up view of Zinnia grown as part of Veggie experiment floating in front of the Cupola window. Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo on Twitter with the caption, “#SpaceFlower out in the sun for the first time! #YearInSpace”

 

11.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (43)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo taken from the International Space Station to Twitter on Feb. 27, 2016 with the caption, “Of all the sunrises I’ve seen on my #YearInSpace, this was one of the best! One of the last too. Headed home soon.”

 

12.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (24)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Earth observation taken during a day pass by the Expedition 46 crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Kelly posted this photo to Twitter on Dec. 24 with the caption, “#GoodMorning #Egypt! Your colors never cease to amaze! #YearInSpace”

 

13.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (31)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

In orbit around the Earth onboard the International Space Station NASA astronaut Scott Kelly captured this blue water image in his “Earth Art” series and tweeted it out with this message: ” A splash of #EarthArt over the #Bahamas! #YearInSpace “.

 

14.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (10)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo to Twitter on August 9, 2015 with the caption, “Day 135. #MilkyWay. You’re old, dusty, gassy and warped. But beautiful. Good night from @space_station! #YearInSpace”.

 

15.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (8)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo taken from the International Space Station to Twitter on July 19, 2015 with the caption, “Day 114. #Moon #Venus #Jupiter…#Earth Good night from @space_station! #YearInSpace”.

 

16.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (21)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo of the Hurricane Patricia taken from the International Space Station to Twitter on Oct. 23, 2015 with the caption, “Hurricane #Patricia approaches #Mexico. It’s massive. Be careful! #YearInSpace!”.

 

17.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (28)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

NASA astronaut Scott Kelly took a photo of Houston and the Gulf Coast as the International Space Station flew overhead.

 

18.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (3)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo taken from the International Space Station to Twitter on June 27, 2015 with the caption, “Day 92. #Aurora is back in town. Good night from @space_station! #YearInSpace”.

 

19.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (5)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo of a moonrise from the International Space Station to Twitter on July 17, 2015 with the caption, “Day 112. #Moonrise is upon us. Good night from @space_station! #YearInSpace”.

 

20.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (27)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Earth observation taken during a day pass by NASA astronaut Scott Kelly aboard the International Space Station. A Russian Soyuz spacecraft dominates the center of the view as it sits docked to the station. Kelly tweeted this image with the message: “Day 282. Soyuz silhouette and #sunset colors of our magnificent #Earth. #GoodNight from @space_station! #YearInSpace”.

 

21.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (2)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo taken from the International Space Station to Twitter on Sept. 23, 2015 with the caption, “#GoodMorning to the Holy City of #Mecca #Makkah! #YearInSpace”.

 

22.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (35)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo taken from the International Space Station to Twitter on Jan. 23, 2016 with the caption, “Day 302. #Blizzard2016 gave us an impressive view below. Stay warm! #GoodNight from @space_station! #YearInSpace”.

 

23.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (36)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

“Massive #snowstorm blanketing #EastCoast clearly visible from @Space_Station! Stay safe! #blizzard2016 #YearInSpace” — Scott Kelly

 

24.

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Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

On the International Space Station June 14, 2015 the crew of Expedition 44 prepare to observe Flag Day in the USA in the Cupola, the 360 degree observation point.

 

25.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (4)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo of Athens, Greece taken from the International Space Station to Twitter on July 12, 2015 with the caption, “#Athens, #Greece, #GoodMorning from @Space_Station. Wishing you the best. #YearInSpace”.

 

26.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (12)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo taken from the International Space Station to Twitter on Sept. 5, 2015 with the caption, “#goodnight #Earth! Make me proud and I’ll try and do the same. #YearInSpace”.

 

27.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (22)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo taken from the International Space Station to Twitter on Dec. 5, 2015 with the caption, “Just took this stunning picture of #SouthEastAsia. #YearInSpace”.

 

28.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (20)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo of New York City from the International Space Station on Twitter with the caption, “My cosmonaut colleague Oleg Kononenko took this incredible picture of #NYC last night. Enjoy. #YearInSpace”.

 

29.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (7)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this picture of the Bahamas taken from the International Space Station on Twitter on July 19, 2015 with the caption, “#Bahamas, the strokes of your watercolors are always a refreshing sight. #YearInSpace.”

 

30.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (45)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo taken from the International Space Station to Twitter on August 1, 2015 with the caption, “Day 127. Sunset returns! Perfect end. Thanks again for joining me today. Good night from @space_station! #YearInSpace”.

 

31.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (11)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo taken from the International Space Station to Twitter on August 10, 2015 with the caption, “#GoodMorning to those in the western #USA. Looks like there’s a lot going on down there. #YearInSpace”.

 

32.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (13)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo of the Perseid meteor shower taken from the International Space Station on Instagram with the caption, “Space weather forecast from @ISS: Moonless with a chance of #Perseid meteors! #YearInSpace #space #spacestation #wx #weather #meteors #meteorshower #constellation #astronomy #nasa”.

 

33.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (16)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo of an aurora taken from the International Space Station to Instagram with the caption, “Day 154. #Aurora’s purple glow adds mystery to the nightscape. Good night from @ISS! #YearInSpace #space #iss #solarstorm #northernlights #goodnight.”

 

34.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (18)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Astronaut Scott Kelly took this photo of Italy from the International Space Station and posted it on Twitter saying, “Day 180. Moonlight over Italy. #BuonaNotte Good night from @space_station! #YearInSpace”.

 

35.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (37)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Earth observation taken during a night pass by the Expedition 46 crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo on Twitter with the caption, “#Italy and the #Alps last night were breathtaking! #YearInSpace”

 

36.

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Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo taken from the International Space Station to Twitter on Feb. 7, 2016 with the caption, “Got to see the #SuperBowl in person after all! But at 17,500MPH, it didn’t last long. #YearInSpace”.

 

37.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (25)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Earth observation taken during a night pass by the Expedition 46 crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Kelly posted this photo to Twitter on Dec. 25 with the caption, “Day 273 Rare sunrise glow over #NewZealand on my 3rd #Christmas in space #GoodNight frm @space_station! #YearInSpace”

 

38.

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Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

The International Space Station crew witness nightly scenes of our Earth’s beauty after performing their duties. Here on Oct. 6, 2015, framed by the edge of a huge Station solar panel, the city of Moscow, Russia sparkles in the night with spoke streets streaming out across the land while an aurora of blue, white and purple contrast the star-filled sky.

 

39.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (34)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

NASA astronaut Scott Kelly (left) and Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko (right) marked their 300th consecutive day aboard the International Space Station on Jan. 21, 2016. The pair will spend a total of 340 days in space on their one-year mission as researchers hope to better understand how the human body reacts and adapts to long-duration spaceflight. This knowledge is critical as NASA looks toward human journeys deeper into the solar system, including to and from Mars, which could last 500 days or longer.

 

40.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (33)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

NASA astronaut Scott Kelly took this majestic image of the Earth at night highlighting the green and red hues of an Aurora. He tweeted this message along with the image: “The dance of #aurora. #YearInSpace”

 

41.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (30)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Earth observation taken during a day pass by the Expedition 46 crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo on Twitter with the caption, “Day 289. Out over the blue. #GoodNight from @space_station! #YearInSpace”

 

42.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (46)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this picture of the moon taken from the International Space Station with the caption, “Day 97. Good night, Moon. Good night from @Space_Station! #YearInSpace”.

 

43.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (39)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Earth observation taken during a night pass by the Expedition 46 crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo on Twitter with the caption, “#CentralAmerica you were particularly brilliant this morning! #YearInSpace”

 

44.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (23)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo taken from the International Space Station to Twitter on Dec. 11, 2015 with the caption, “The remnants of #Soyuz’s fiery plunge through the atmosphere. Congratulations on a successful landing #SoyuzTMA17M!”.

 

45.

best pics from year in space nasa scott kelly (38)

Photograph by Scott Kelly / NASA

 

Earth observation taken during a night pass by the Expedition 46 crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Astronaut Scott Kelly posted this photo on Twitter with the caption, “Day 313. A thin blue line hints a new beginning with #sunrise. #GoodNight from @space_station! #YearInSpace”