On May 1, 2025, NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers captured an awe-inspiring photograph of the International Space Station (ISS) while on her first spacewalk. The image, taken during Expedition 73, shows the forward section of the ISS from the port side of its backbone truss, revealing a remarkable view of the station’s U.S. operating segment.
In the photo, several prominent features are visible, including JAXA’s (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) three-part Kibo laboratory, which includes the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM), the exposed facility with the Japanese robotic arm, and the logistics module. Also seen are the SpaceX CRS-32 Dragon cargo spacecraft docked to the Harmony module’s space-facing port, as well as the SpaceX Dragon crew spacecraft “Endurance” partially obscured at Harmony’s forward port.
The photo was taken while the ISS was orbiting approximately 260 miles (418 kilometers) above the Pacific Ocean, just east of the Hawaiian islands.
This milestone comes after nearly 25 years of continuous human presence aboard the ISS, showcasing the space station from a fresh perspective. Ayers, who was between tasks related to the preparation of new solar arrays for the ISS, had the opportunity to capture this iconic shot during her spacewalk.
For more details on Ayers’ historic spacewalk and the ongoing evolution of the International Space Station, stay updated with Space.com’s coverage.
