The beauty of space is truly out of this world, and this week, an astronaut shared a glimpse of the breathtaking views from the International Space Station (ISS).
A View to Inspire
On December 11, 2025, JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui, a flight engineer on Expedition 74, captured a moment that left him in awe. He wrote, "I thought everyone would want to see a photo of Earth, so I took a few shots just before bed. The amazing thing about the ISS is that you can see views like this without even trying."
Yui's photo, a true work of art, showcases the iconic "skies of blue and clouds of white" described by Louis Armstrong in his timeless song.
A Week of Scientific Endeavors
But here's where it gets controversial... while the view from space is breathtaking, the crew of Expedition 74 had their eyes set on more than just the scenery. They were hard at work conducting scientific research and maintaining the space station's systems.
Among their endeavors:
StemCellEx-IP1: NASA astronaut Zena Cardman studied stem cells under a microscope, observing their behavior in microgravity. This research could lead to groundbreaking discoveries in organ and tissue repair.
Virtual Experiment: Roscosmos astronauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev explored how the vestibular system adapts to microgravity by wearing VR goggles. Their study aims to develop countermeasures for readjusting to gravity.
Maintaining the Space Station
The crew also dedicated time to station keeping, ensuring the ISS remains in top shape. Here's a glimpse:
JEM DRCS: Yui installed and soundproofed the JEM Demonstration of CO2 Removal System, a crucial step towards future Artemis missions to the Moon and Mars.
JAXA's HTV-X1: NASA astronauts Chris Williams and Mike Fincke, along with Zena Cardman and Yui, prepared the cargo ship for departure in January. Williams focused on loading refuse, while Fincke prepared a science rack for transfer.
Waste and Hygiene Compartment: Fincke serviced one of the space station's restrooms, replacing plumbing components in the Tranquility node.
Living the Dream
NASA astronaut Chris Williams, a flight engineer on Expedition 74, is living out his childhood dream. He shared, "I've been fascinated by exploration, especially space, since I was a kid. It's a curiosity that never faded, and being an astronaut felt like the ultimate way to explore space."
Williams discussed his journey to space during an in-flight interview with The Washington Post on December 11. You can watch the full interview in the video above.
A Crew of Seven
As of December 12, the ISS is home to seven crew members: Expedition 74 commander Mike Fincke, NASA astronauts Zena Cardman and Chris Williams, JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui, and Roscosmos astronauts Oleg Platonov, Sergey Kud-Sverchkov, and Sergey Mikaev.
Two crew spacecraft are docked: SpaceX's Dragon "Endeavour" and Roscosmos' Soyuz MS-28. Four cargo spacecraft are also attached: Roscosmos' Progress MS-31 and MS-32, Northrop Grumman's Cygnus XL, and Japan's HTV-X1.
The space station has been continuously crewed for an impressive 25 years, 1 month, and 10 days as of Friday.
A Space Historian's Perspective
Robert Pearlman, a space historian and journalist, shared his insights. He is the founder and editor of collectSPACE.com, a publication dedicated to space history and its intersection with pop culture. Pearlman has received numerous accolades, including induction into the U.S. Space Camp Hall of Fame and the Ordway Award for Sustained Excellence in Spaceflight History.
So, what do you think? Is the view from space worth the hard work and dedication of these astronauts? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
