Amazing Space Photos by Japanese Astronaut Koichi Wakata in Orbit

Clouds Seen from the International Space Station

Koichi Wakata ‏(via Twitter as ‏@Astro_Wakata)

Astronaut Koichi Wakata tweeted this photo of clouds over an ocean on Earth, taken from the International Space Station. Image released Jan. 9, 2014.

New Zealand Seen From the International Space Station

Koichi Wakata (via Twitter ‏@Astro_Wakata)

On Dec. 14, 2013, Dr. Koichi Wakata tweeted this image of New Zealand taken aboard the ISS. He wrote: “New Zealand at a glance. Full of vivid green. pic.twitter.com/xJ3YZDgYw9”

Koichi Wakata Tweets Selfie After ARISS Radio Event

Koichi Wakata (via Twitter as @Astro_Wakata)

This photo was taken of JAXA astronaut Koichi Wakata aboard the International Space Station on Dec. 12, 2013. “Everyone who gathered in the ARISS program in Kyoto Municipal Luoyang Technical High School: It was fun to take part in the amateur radio communication event today. Thank you for all the great questions,” Wakata tweeted.

Kirobo with Wakata

YouTube, Kibo Robot Project

Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata talks to the robot Kirobo aboard the International Space Station on Dec. 6, 2013.

The Andes Mountains Seen From the International Space Station

Koichi Wakata ‏(via Twitter as @Astro_Wakata)

On Dec. 5, 2013, Dr. Koichi Wakata tweeted this image of South America taken aboard the ISS. He wrote: “Flying over the beautiful Andes. pic.twitter.com/pBC3dw4M7w”

Moon Seen by Astronaut Wakata on the ISS

Koichi Wakata (via Twitter as @Astro_Wakata)

Dr. Koichi Wakata represents the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) as a Flight Engineer on International Space Station (ISS) Expedition 38 and the Commander of Expedition 39. On Nov. 17, 2013, he tweeted this image of the moon taken aboard the ISS.

Cubesats Deployed from SSOD

NASA

Three nanosatellites, known as Cubesats, are deployed from a Small Satellite Orbital Deployer (SSOD) attached to the Kibo laboratory's robotic arm at 7:10 a.m. (EST) on Nov. 19, 2013. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Koichi Wakata, Expedition 38 flight engineer, monitored the satellite deployment while operating the Japanese robotic arm from inside Kibo.

Cubesats Seen from ISS

NASA

Three nanosatellites, known as Cubesats, are featured in this image photographed by an Expedition 38 crew member on the International Space Station. The satellites were released outside the Kibo laboratory using a Small Satellite Orbital Deployer attached to the Japanese module's robotic arm on Nov. 19, 2013. Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency astronaut Koichi Wakata, flight engineer, monitored the satellite deployment while operating the Japanese robotic arm from inside Kibo.

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