International Space Station, October 13 - 17, 2025 — Japanese astronaut Kimiya Yui of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), serving as an Expedition 73 flight engineer aboard the International Space Station (ISS), captured a spectacular photograph of the aurora from orbit this week.
The photo, which Yui shared on social media on October 14, 2025, features vibrant green and red auroras dancing above the Earth's horizon. The majestic band of the Milky Way galaxy is also visible above, with the space station's solar arrays and the Exposed Facility of the Japanese Kibo module visible in the foreground.
Yui was clearly proud of his shot, noting the uniqueness of the view. He explained that the ISS had adopted a different attitude (orientation) than usual, which altered the scenery visible from the Kibo module window.
"Isn't this one of the top five stunning views among all the photos taken from the 'Kibo' window? Self-praise here..." Yui wrote on social media. He added that the view was so "special" that he "pushed through [his] work early to make time" to capture the photograph.
This stunning image provided a rare public update on activity aboard the ISS, as official communications from NASA regarding station operations have been significantly halted due to an ongoing U.S. government shutdown. Yui's regular social media posts have been an exception, offering a glimpse into life and work in orbit.
Continued Astronaut Activity
Despite the lack of NASA updates, science and maintenance work continued aboard the orbiting laboratory throughout the week. A significant portion of Japanese astronaut Yui's time was dedicated to preparing for the arrival of his country's next-generation uncrewed cargo vehicle.
JAXA astronaut Kimiya Yui has been focused on preparations for the launch and capture of the first HTV-X cargo vehicle, a successor to the "Kounotori" vehicle. The launch of the HTV-X is targeted for the following Monday (October 20). Yui is slated to use the station's Canadarm2 robotic arm to capture and berth the spacecraft upon its arrival.
"I'm waiting for you! I'll catch you gently, so don't worry!" Yui humorously wrote to the cargo ship still on Earth, confirming his assignment to operate the arm for the critical capture maneuver.
Yui's latest stunning view of the aurora serves as a beautiful reminder of the remarkable perspective astronauts have, even as they continue their vital research and operational work in microgravity.