This image of the International Space Station (ISS), with Earth as a backdrop, was taken from Space Shuttle Discovery on Sept. 8, 2009, as the two spacecraft began their relative separation. NASA/AP
A setting sun and Earth's horizon are featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 13 crewmember on the International Space Station in 2006.
In this image obtained from NASA, eight of a total of 13 astronauts and cosmonauts from the ISS and space shuttle Endeavour are pictured at meal time aboard the ISS, on July 21, 2009. Getty Images/AFP/Newscom
Astronaut Stephen K. Robinson, STS-114 mission specialist, anchored to a foot restraint on the International Space Station's Canadarm2, participates in the mission's third session of extravehicular activity on August 3, 2005.
Canadian space-tourist Guy Laliberte (front) waves during a post-docking news conference with Expedition 20 and 21 crewmembers (background) from the Zvezda service module of the ISS in this Oct. 2, video grab. Circus billionaire Laliberte, dubbed the first clown in space, arrived at the ISS in a Russian space craft for a 10-day stay that cost over $35 million. NASA TV/Reuters
Cosmonauts Vladimir N. Dezhurov (l.) and Mikhail Tyurin, both Expedition 3 flight engineers representing Rosaviakosmos, eat a Thanksgiving meal in the Zvezda Service Module on the International Space Station in 2001.
Expedition 14 flight engineer Astronaut Sunita L. Williams, equipped with a bungee harness, exercises on the Treadmill Vibration Isolation System in the Zvezda Service Module of the ISS on April 13, 2007. The 41-year-old ran to compete in the 26.2-mile Boston Marathon later that month on a treadmill from the Space Station. NASA/UPI/Newscom
Space shuttle Atlantis crew members Robert Satcher (l.), Mike Forman, and Randy Bresnik (r.) arrive aboard the ISS after opening the hatch between the two spacecraft in this image from NASA TV Nov. 18, 2009. NASA TV/Reuters
NASA astronaut John 'Danny' Olivas works outside the ISS during mission STS-128's third and final spacewalk supporting construction and maintenance of the orbital outpost on Sept. 5, 2009. NASA/Handout/Reuters
Astronaut Garrett Reisman, Expedition 16 flight engineer, uses a digital camera to expose a photo of his helmet visor during the mission's first scheduled session of extravehicular activity, as construction and maintenance continue on the ISS in March 2008. Also visible in the reflections in the visor are components of the station, the docked space shuttle Endeavour, and a blue and white portion of Earth. NASA/AP
Expedition 20 crew members pose for an in-flight photo in the Harmony node of the ISS on Oct. 1, 2009. Pictured clockwise from bottom center are Russian commander Gennady Padalka, cosmonaut Roman Romanenko, NASA astronaut Nicole Stott, Canadian Space Agency astronaut Robert Thirsk, European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne, and NASA astronaut Michael Barratt. NASA/Reuters
Astronaut Koichi Wakata of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, Expedition 18/19 flight engineer, works inside the Kibo laboratory airlock of the ISS. NASA
This photo, taken by crew members aboard the ISS shows Space Shuttle Discovery, on mission STS-128, as it performed a full 360-degree backflip, prior to docking on Aug. 30, 2009. This view shows almost the entire top portion of Discovery, including the Multi-Purpose Logistics Module (Leonardo) in the cargo bay. NASA/UPI/Newscom
Canadian spaceflight participant Guy Laliberte (l.) and European Space Agency astronaut Frank De Winne (r.) make food selections from a stowage container in the Unity node of the ISS in this photo taken Oct. 5 and released by NASA Oct. 8, 2009. NASA/Reuters
The International Space Station is the most heavily shielded spacecraft ever. It can outmaneuver large debris and withstand the impact of smaller flotsam.
International Space Station (ISS) Commander Jeffrey Williams is seen silhouetted by the ISS's new cupola windows in Feb. 2010. Williams takes photographs through the windows, which are now open in the ISS's observation deck. NASA TV/Reuters
Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield performed and recorded the David Bowie classic 'Space Oddity' aboard the International Space Station, eliciting praise from Major Tom himself.
Forget the Hollywood Bowl or Lincoln Center. The space age has opened a new venue for rock music, jazz, even a brief rumble or two from a homemade didgeridoo – the International Space Station, whirring vent fans and all.
/Photo-Galleries/Photos-of-the-Day/2013/Photos-of-the-Day-06-16
/Photo-Galleries/Photos-of-the-Day/2013/Photos-of-the-Day-0615
/Photo-Galleries/Photos-of-the-Day/2013/Photos-of-the-day-06-14
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Erin-go-bragh-images-of-Ireland
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Weather-extremes-2013
/Photo-Galleries/Photos-of-the-Day/2013/Photos-of-the-day-06-13
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Children-s-labors
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Wildfires-2013
/Photo-Galleries/Photos-of-the-Day/2013/Photos-of-the-day-06-12
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Turkey-s-discontent
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Venezuela-after-Chavez
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/James-Whitey-Bulger-on-trial
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Facebook-fans-caption-Monitor-photos
/Photo-Galleries/Photos-of-the-Day/2013/Photos-of-the-day-06-11
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Edward-Snowden-on-the-run-villain-or-hero
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/China-s-space-program
/Photo-Galleries/Photos-of-the-Day/2013/Photos-of-the-day-06-10
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Mali-Replastering-the-biggest-mud-building-in-the-world
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Nelson-Mandela-His-life-and-legacy
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/The-kings-and-queens-of-modern-monarchies
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/America-heads-home-the-transfer-of-power-in-Afghanistan
/Photo-Galleries/Photos-of-the-Day/2013/Photos-of-the-day-06-06
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Aung-San-Suu-Kyi
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Arab-Spring-hope-heartbreak-and-a-slice-of-life
/Photo-Galleries/Photos-of-the-Day/2013/Photos-of-the-day-06-05
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Becoming-Pope-Francis
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Picturing-Energy
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/First-lady-Michelle-Obama
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/Midwesterners-harp-on-carp
/Photo-Galleries/In-Pictures/The-West-Bank-life-under-the-PA