On June 3, 2013, NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy took advantage of the ultimate panoramic views of the cosmos, by stationing himself with his camera and telephoto lens inside the International Space Station's observation deck, known as the Cupola.With its seven large portholes, the 10-foot dome-shaped module offers the perfect place to snap spectacular photos of celestial objects and Earth, some 250 miles (400 kilometers) below.
The Cupola is also used by the ISS crew as a cosmic control tower from which spacewalking activities and spacecraft-docking operations can be monitored. Like a crane operator inside a control cabin, astronauts use robotic workstations to command the station's robotic arm to help with assembly and maintenance of the station.
—Andrew Fazekas
