Captain Alan Poindexter, who commanded Space Shuttle Discovery on her second-last mission, shares some amazing photographs taken by himself and his crew during that mission. Captain Poindexter also shares some EXIF data and explains each shot, and how it's possible to use a camera in space. NASA trains astronauts to be photographers, it makes sense; how else could they capture such iconic images throughout these last decades?
Captain Alan Poindexter writes:
Two years ago today, I was tremendously privileged to land Space Shuttle Discovery after commanding her on her penultimate mission. My friend, African wildlife photographer Andy Biggs, asked me to write down some thoughts about photography in orbit. To perhaps capture some of the lessons learned, difficulties, and challenges of photography in an unfamiliar, and unforgiving environment.