Skip to main content

Attention, earthlings: Enjoy an astronaut’s view of Earth with this 360 video

Space 360: First-ever panoramic video shot at International Space Station
Earthlings can now get an immersive view of what their planet looks like to extraterrestrials — err, astronauts anyways. Earlier this week, a Russian cosmonaut shared the first 360 view of earth from inside the International Space Station (ISS).

The 4K immersive video was shot from what’s called the Cupola, a spot for getting the best space views from seven bay windows. Andrey Borisenko, the cosmonaut behind the camera, said that the area is where those on board the space station like to spend their free time — and it’s easy to see why.

Recommended Videos

The video opens with a stunning scene that’s repeated throughout the new series of space station tours — the sunrise and even what appears to be the Northern Lights, as well as cities outlined in lights from a 360 camera that appears to be mounted on the exterior of the space station.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

The opening glimpse is followed by a tour of the Cupola, so see how the astronauts take in the sights — a bit more obstructed than the view from the front of the station. Borisenko shows the full view from the Cupola, including views of the earth as well as windows showing some of the ISS.

The video was shared by the YouTube channel Russia Today, (RT) as part of its Space in 360 project. RT says that the video is the first 360 shot of earth from aboard the International Space Station. The video is a result of a partnership with the Russian news agency, Roscosmos, SP Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia.

The video is the second in the series, after a November 17 opening video sharing the project — including that same stunning opening shot of the sunrise, followed by a look inside one of rooms inside the International Space Station. That first video also shows how astronauts apparently store their cameras — secured to the walls so they don’t float away.

Space 360: First-ever panoramic video shot at International Space Station
Hillary K. Grigonis
Hillary never planned on becoming a photographer—and then she was handed a camera at her first writing job and she's been…
Astronaut’s stunning photo shows ‘flowing silver snakes’
A photo of Earth at night taken by NASA astronaut Don Pettit.

Over his three previous missions to the International Space Station (ISS), NASA astronaut Don Pettit earned a reputation for having a keen eye when it comes to photographing Earth and beyond.

Since arriving at the ISS on his fourth orbital mission earlier this month, Pettit, who at 69 is NASA’s oldest active astronaut, has wasted little time in grabbing the station’s cameras to capture and share fresh dazzling imagery shot from 250 miles above Earth.

Read more
Watch ISS astronauts take part in a weightless Olympics
iss-olympics

The astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have taken time out to have some Olympic-focused fun.

While the ISS inhabitants spend most of their time working on science projects, they often down tools for special occasions, and the Paris Olympics, which kicked off this weekend, is one such occasion.

Read more
Homeward bound private astronaut shares gorgeous night shots of Earth
Earth as seen from the International Space Station.

Earth as seen from the International Space Station. Marcus Wendt/Axiom Space/NASA

Axiom Space’s third private mission to the International Space Station (ISS) was supposed to last two weeks, but the all-European crew stayed for a few extra days while it waited for the weather conditions to improve at the splashdown site off the coast of Daytona, Florida.

Read more