ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science
No Result
View All Result
ZME Science

Home → Other → Great Pics

[Amazing Photo] Atlantis re-entering Earth’s atmosphere

Tibi PuiubyTibi Puiu
July 22, 2011
in Great Pics, Other, Remote sensing, Space
A A
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterSubmit to Reddit

RelatedPosts

Yuri Gagarin’s historic first space flight recreated on video
Astronaut shows what fidget spinners can do in outer space
Lettuce grown in space is just as nutritious as that grown on Earth
ISS astronauts capture spectacular aurora
Shuttle Atlantis as it enters Earth's glowing atmosphere. Click for a better, larger view. (c) NASA/Johnson Space Center
Shuttle Atlantis as it enters Earth's glowing atmosphere. Click for a better, larger view. (c) NASA/Johnson Space Center

I know some of you are either nostalgic or plain tired of all the Atlantis posts we’ve been publishing lately, but this one absolutely takes the cake. The photo above, taken from aboard the International Space Station by one of the astronauts there, shows Atlantis as it enters Earth’s atmosphere, leaving a trail of golden plasma behind it. The plasma glow is actually a leftover from super-heated air around Atlantis’s heat shield, as the shuttle plunged at hypersonic speed into the atmosphere as it safely landed on the Kennedy Space Center runway yesterday.

Take a swell look at the photo, we won’t be seeing a new one for good, good while.

NASA via Popsci

Tags: Atlantis shuttleInternational Space Stationplasmashuttle

ShareTweetShare
Tibi Puiu

Tibi Puiu

Tibi is a science journalist and co-founder of ZME Science. He writes mainly about emerging tech, physics, climate, and space. In his spare time, Tibi likes to make weird music on his computer and groom felines. He has a B.Sc in mechanical engineering and an M.Sc in renewable energy systems.

Related Posts

News

What Happens When You Throw a Paper Plane From Space? These Physicists Found Out

byTibi Puiu
3 weeks ago
News

NASA Astronaut Snaps Rare Sprite Flash From Space and It’s Blowing Minds

byTibi Puiu
3 weeks ago
News

Japan’s Wooden Satellite Survived Orbit for 116 Days. Now Scientists Want a Better Version

byGrace van Deelen
3 weeks ago
News

Astronauts Who Spent 286 Extra Days in Space Earned No Overtime. But They Did Get a $5 a Day “Incidentals” Allowance

byTibi Puiu
4 months ago

Recent news

a hand over a burning scented candle

Why You Should Stop Using Scented Candles—For Good

July 31, 2025
different nuts in bowls at a market

People in Thailand were chewing psychoactive nuts 4,000 years ago. It’s in their teeth

July 31, 2025

To Fight Invasive Pythons in the Everglades Scientists Turned to Robot Rabbits

July 31, 2025
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Editorial Policy
  • Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
  • How we review products
  • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Science News
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Space
  • Future
  • Features
    • Natural Sciences
    • Physics
      • Matter and Energy
      • Quantum Mechanics
      • Thermodynamics
    • Chemistry
      • Periodic Table
      • Applied Chemistry
      • Materials
      • Physical Chemistry
    • Biology
      • Anatomy
      • Biochemistry
      • Ecology
      • Genetics
      • Microbiology
      • Plants and Fungi
    • Geology and Paleontology
      • Planet Earth
      • Earth Dynamics
      • Rocks and Minerals
      • Volcanoes
      • Dinosaurs
      • Fossils
    • Animals
      • Mammals
      • Birds
      • Fish
      • Amphibians
      • Reptiles
      • Invertebrates
      • Pets
      • Conservation
      • Animal facts
    • Climate and Weather
      • Climate change
      • Weather and atmosphere
    • Health
      • Drugs
      • Diseases and Conditions
      • Human Body
      • Mind and Brain
      • Food and Nutrition
      • Wellness
    • History and Humanities
      • Anthropology
      • Archaeology
      • History
      • Economics
      • People
      • Sociology
    • Space & Astronomy
      • The Solar System
      • Sun
      • The Moon
      • Planets
      • Asteroids, meteors & comets
      • Astronomy
      • Astrophysics
      • Cosmology
      • Exoplanets & Alien Life
      • Spaceflight and Exploration
    • Technology
      • Computer Science & IT
      • Engineering
      • Inventions
      • Sustainability
      • Renewable Energy
      • Green Living
    • Culture
    • Resources
  • Videos
  • Reviews
  • About Us
    • About
    • The Team
    • Advertise
    • Contribute
    • Editorial policy
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact

© 2007-2025 ZME Science - Not exactly rocket science. All Rights Reserved.