The Trailblazing Heroism of Vladimir Komarov

This is a story that not many know, about a Russian cosmonaut named Vladimir Komarov.  He was one of the first Soviet cosmonauts in the 1960s during the cold war space race between the United States and the Soviet Union.  He was the first cosmonaut to fly on more than one space mission, and he sadly became the first human being to die due to space flight. An Aerospace Engineer and test pilot, he was one of the few exceptional candidates accepted into Air Force Group One, the original Soviet cosmonaut program.   He wasn’t medically fit for the program on...

Red Sprite Captured by the ISS

An unusual Phenomenon known as a Red Sprite has been seen by the International Space Station as it orbits the Earth.  Seen above a lightning storm, it is unknown what causes this rare phenomena of tendril-like lines that extend up into the atmosphere from the lower storm. The Moon is visible near the centre of the frame, and to its right we can see the constellation of Orion above the atmosphere and lights of our comfortable planet Earth.  Along the horizon at the right side of the image is the visible red sprite, occurring quickly during this longer exposure. Amazing...