I’ve been saving these pictures because I wanted to make sure that everything was okay with the Space Shuttle Discovery. Now that it’s safely touched down (knock wood), I thought you all might be interested in checking these out. They are breathtaking.

Thanks to Mr. Sauser down at NASA, and the folks on the International Space Station who took these pictures.

***Updated at 5:38 pm***

I found one more picture. I’m having trouble uploading the close-up of the fighter. For now, here is the descriptions from Mr. Sauser:

A flight of US Air Force F-15 Eagle Jetfighters helped to provide air cover over Kennedy Space Center and the shuttle launch pad against terrorist attacks during launch countdown of the Space Shuttle Discovery

The Shuttle Approaches the ISS:

The Shuttle Turns and Readies for Docking at the ISS:

Preparing to Dock:

Nose First into the ISS:

Open the Payload Doors: