Watch Gorgeous Ultra-Hi-Def Video of Earth From the International Space Station

Astronauts speak of a life-altering shift in perspective after having seen Earth from space. This video gives a sense why.

Screen Shot 2015-06-17 at 2
Screen Shot 2015-06-17 at 2

Astronauts returning from missions in space often speak of the intense sense of wonder and awe that results from viewing our planet from the porthole of a spacecraft. Viewed from so many hundreds of miles away, the Earth’s conflicts and squabbles suddenly seem incomprehensible, replaced by a sudden appreciation of its sheer beauty.

Astronauts returning from missions in space often speak of the intense sense of wonder and awe that results from viewing our planet from the porthole of a spacecraft. Viewed from so many hundreds of miles away, the Earth’s conflicts and squabbles suddenly seem incomprehensible, replaced by a sudden appreciation of its sheer beauty.

For all us earth-bound humans without access to space travel, a new video released by NASA is about as close as we can get to experiencing that sense of awe for ourselves — all from a high-definition monitor. The 4K footage from the International Space Station features gorgeous shots of Earth and life aboard the station, including some less than awe-inspiring footage of the food astronauts eat.

Watch the full video below and use the gear tool at the bottom right to crank the resolution all the way up:

Photo credit: YouTube/ReelNASA

Twitter: @EliasGroll
Tag: Space

More from Foreign Policy

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping give a toast during a reception following their talks at the Kremlin in Moscow on March 21.

Can Russia Get Used to Being China’s Little Brother?

The power dynamic between Beijing and Moscow has switched dramatically.

Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.
Xi and Putin shake hands while carrying red folders.

Xi and Putin Have the Most Consequential Undeclared Alliance in the World

It’s become more important than Washington’s official alliances today.

Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

It’s a New Great Game. Again.

Across Central Asia, Russia’s brand is tainted by Ukraine, China’s got challenges, and Washington senses another opening.

Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.
Kurdish military officers take part in a graduation ceremony in Erbil, the capital of Iraq’s Kurdistan Region, on Jan. 15.

Iraqi Kurdistan’s House of Cards Is Collapsing

The region once seemed a bright spot in the disorder unleashed by U.S. regime change. Today, things look bleak.