May 5, 2026, 8:33 a.m. ET
- The sighting occurred unexpectedly while Williams was awaiting the arrival of a cargo spacecraft.
- Below the space station was a bright object blazing through Earth’s upper atmosphere above West Africa, Williams said in a post on social media.
- Williams shared video and images of the phenomenon, which he said he suspected was orbital debris or a satellite breaking up.
A NASA astronaut aboard the International Space Station captured a striking sight of what he suspected to be pieces of fiery debris whizzing through Earth’s atmosphere and breaking up.
Chris Williams, who reached the orbital outpost in November with two Russian cosmonauts, has become well-known for his astral photography during his mission. In February, for instance, he photographed views of Lunar New Year celebrations as the space station flew over China.
The latest celestial phenomenon Williams managed to document came at the end of April. Williams, though, wasn’t even expecting to spot the space junk as he was awaiting the arrival of an uncrewed vehicle heading to the ISS with more supplies.
Here’s a look at what Williams recently documented and shared from the space station.
What is the International Space Station?
The International Space Station has been stationed in low-Earth orbit for more than 25 years, typically about 260 miles high, where it has been home to astronauts from all over the world. Throughout its lifespan, the station has served as a test bed for scientific research in microgravity and has in years past opened itself up to private commercial missions.
The orbital laboratory is operated through a global partnership of space agencies, including NASA, Roscosmos, the European Space Agency, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency and the Canadian Space Agency.
More than 290 spacefarers from 26 countries have visited the International Space Station, including 170 from the United States alone, according to NASA.
NASA astronaut photographs suspected satellites breaking up near ISS
Williams was scanning outside the International Space Station‘s cupola April 27 for the arrival of Russia’s Progress 95 cargo spacecraft, which had launched days earlier on a resupply mission, when he spotted something else instead.
Below the space station was a bright object blazing through Earth’s upper atmosphere above West Africa, Williams said in an April 30 post on social media. Williams shared video and images of the phenomenon, which he said he suspected was orbital debris or a satellite breaking up.
“It was quite a light show!” Williams said.
“Whoa this might top your fireworks video … epic!” NASA astronaut Zena Cardman replied on Instagram. Cardman’s time aboard the space station recently overlapped with Williams’ mission before she departed in mid-January with her fellow Crew-11 astronauts.
What astronauts are on the International Space Station?
Williams is among seven astronauts who are part of Expedition 74 now living and working about the International Space Station.
Williams and Russians Sergey Mikaev and Sergey Kud-Sverchkov arrived at the end of November on a Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft.
The most recent arrivals were spacefarers who are part of a mission known as Crew-12. A joint venture between NASA and SpaceX, Crew-12 – including NASA astronauts Jessica Meir and Jack Hathaway, the European Space Agency’s Sophie Adenot and Russian cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev – arrived Feb. 14 at the ISS for a nine-month stay.
Eric Lagatta is the Space Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach him at elagatta@usatodayco.com
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