Extratropical Cyclone over the United Kingdom

Soggy winters are not unusual in the United Kingdom, but this winter has been in a category of its own. UK Met Office meteorologists had just declared January 2014 the wettest month on record for parts of southern Britain when another series of storms swept across the area in early February. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on NASA’s Terra satellite captured this image of an extratropical cyclone bearing down on the United Kingdom on February 12, 2014. Mature extratropical cyclones often feature comma-shaped cloud patterns that are the product of “conveyor belt” circulation. While heavy precipitation is often present near the low-pressure head of the comma, a slot of dry air usually trails the west side of the tail. The storm brought the United Kingdom yet another round of heavy rain, as well as winds that exceeded 160 kilometers (100 miles) per hour. It snarled traffic, disrupted train service, and caused power outages for more than 700,000 people. The also exacerbated severe flooding in southern England. More than 5,800 homes have flooded since early December, according to media reports. Authorities have deployed thousands of soldiers to towns and cities in southern England to help with flood recovery. Meanwhile, the Met Office was forecasting more of the same. They warned that another system bearing heavy rain and winds was lining up to push into the United Kingdom from the southeast on Friday morning. NASA Earth Observatory image by Jesse Allen, using data from the Land Atmosphere Near real-time Capability for EOS (LANCE). Caption by Adam Voiland. More info: <a href="http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=83127" rel="nofollow">earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=83127</a> Instrument: Terra - MODIS Credit: <a href="http://www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov/" rel="nofollow"> NASA Earth Observatory</a> <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/audience/formedia/features/MP_Photo_Guidelines.html" rel="nofollow">NASA image use policy.</a> <a href="http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/home/index.html" rel="nofollow">NASA Goddard Space Flight Center</a> enables NASA’s mission through four scientific endeavors: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Solar System Exploration, and Astrophysics. Goddard plays a leading role in NASA’s accomplishments by contributing compelling scientific knowledge to advance the Agency’s mission. Follow us on <a href="http://twitter.com/NASAGoddardPix" rel="nofollow">Twitter</a> Like us on <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Greenbelt-MD/NASA-Goddard/395013845897?ref=tsd" rel="nofollow">Facebook</a> Find us on <a href="http://instagrid.me/nasagoddard/?vm=grid" rel="nofollow">Instagram</a>

This image acquired by NASA Terra spacecraft depicts the high water levels and flooding along the Thames River west of London as record-breaking rains covered the United Kingdom in January and February.

U.K. Flooding Captured by NASA Spacecraft

This annotated image, taken in 2014, shows where features seen in an observation by NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter have been interpreted as hardware from the Dec. 25, 2003, arrival at Mars of the United Kingdom Beagle 2 Lander.

Components of Beagle 2 Flight System on Mars

A configuration interpreted as the United Kingdom Beagle 2 Lander, with solar panels at least partially deployed, is indicated in this composite of two images from NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter.

Beagle 2 Lander on Mars, With Panels Deployed

Ash from Iceland Eyjafjallajökull volcano, viewed here in imagery from NASA Terra spacecraft on May 16, 2010, once again disrupted air traffic over Europe with the closure of major airports in the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

Eyjafjallajökull Ash Continues to Disrupt Air Traffic

Saturn's moon Enceladus is only 505 kilometers (314 miles) across, small enough to fit within the length of the United Kingdom, as illustrated here. The intriguing icy moon also could fit comfortably within the states of Arizona or Colorado. http://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA07724

Enceladus to Scale

Artist illustration of the X-59 in flight over land.

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This annotated image taken on Dec. 15, 2014 by NASA Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter shows a bright feature interpreted as the United Kingdom Beagle 2 Lander, which was never heard from after its expected Dec. 25, 2003, landing.

Beagle 2 Lander Observed by Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter

Lord Drayson, Minister of State for Science, United Kingdom visits Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif.

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Henderson Island, South Pacific

Uninhabited Henderson Island is part of the United Kingdom's Pitcairn Islands group in the South Pacific. According to a study by the University of Tasmania published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Science, the island has the highest density of plastic waste anywhere in the world, an estimated 38 million pieces of rubbish. The island is near the center of an ocean current, so it collects rubbish from boats and South America. The image was acquired February 7, 2012, covers an area of 10.3 by 12.3 km, and is located at 24.3 degrees south, 128.3 degrees west. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA21691

Professor John Beddington, UK (United Kingdom) Government Chief Scientist Advisor visit to Ames in Bldg N-200 Boyd Room

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Professor John Beddington, UK (United Kingdom) Government Chief Scientist Advisor visit to Ames with John Hinein N-200 Boyd Room

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Lord Drayson, Minister of State for Science, United Kingdom visits Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, Calif. LADEE facility at Ames.

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iss072e013206 (Oct. 5, 2024) --- NASA astronaut and Expedition 72 Commander Suni Williams calls down to students in Shepperton, United Kingdom, on the International Space Station's ham radio and answers their questions about living in space.

Astronaut Suni Williams calls down to students using a ham radio

Professor John Beddington, UK (United Kingdom) Government Chief Scientist Advisor visit to Ames on tour of the Small Satellites area Bldg 45 (and a lunar lander prototype LADEE)

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Professor John Beddington, UK (United Kingdom) Government Chief Scientist Advisor visit to Ames - greeted by Ames Center Director Pete Worden in Bldg N-200 Boyd Room

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Professor John Beddington, UK (United Kingdom) Government Chief Scientist Advisor visit to Ames on tour of the Small Satellites area Bldg 45 with John Hine of Ames Research Center

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Earth Observation

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Artist illustration of the X-59 in flight in blue skies and white clouds.

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Artist illustration of the X-59 in flight above the clouds with land below, flying left.

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ESA astronaut and first astronaut from the United Kingdom, Timothy Peake, with NASA astronaut Scott Tingle (unassigned) during EVA Skills training in the NBL. Photo Date: November 27, 2012. Location: NBL - Pool Topside. Photographer: Robert Markowitz

EVA Skills training in the NBL

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EVA Skills training in the NBL

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EVA Skills training in the NBL

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The Delta II expendable launch vehicle with the ROSAT (Roentgen Satellite), cooperative space X-ray astronomy mission between NASA, Germany and United Kingdom, was launched from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on June 1, 1990.

Launch Vehicles

EVA Skills training in the NBL

English Channel

41G-121-139 (5-13 Oct. 1984) --- The Strait of Dover and London, seldom seen in space photography, can be delineated in this medium format camera's scene showing parts of England and France from onboard the Earth-orbiting space shuttle Challenger. Parts of the Thames River can also be traced in the frame. The 41-G crew consisted of astronauts Robert L. Crippen, commander; Jon A. McBride, pilot; and Mission Specialists Kathryn D. Sullivan, Sally K. Ride, and David D. Leestma; along with Canadian astronaut Marc Garneau; and Paul D. Scully-Power, both payload specialists. Photo credit: NASA

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility runway, the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer, piloted by Steve Fossett, begins its takeoff as a nearby helicopter films the historic event for audiences in the United Kingdom. Fossett is attempting a record-breaking solo flight, non-stop without refueling, to surpass the current record for the longest flight of any aircraft. This is the second attempt in two days after a fuel leak was detected Feb. 7. The actual launch time was 7:22 a.m. Feb. 8.

Earth Observations taken by Expedition 30 crewmember

ISS030-E-177670 (28 March 2012) --- One of the Expedition 30 crew members photographed this nighttime scene while the International Space Station was flying at an altitude approximately 240 miles over the eastern North Atlantic. The view looks northeastward. Center point coordinates are 46.8 degrees north latitude and 14.3 degrees west longitude. The night lights of the cities of Ireland, in the foreground, and the United Kingdom, in the back and to the right, are contrasted by the bright sunrise in the background. The greens and purples of the Aurora Borealis are seen along the rest of the horizon.

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KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FLA. - On NASA Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility runway, the Virgin Atlantic GlobalFlyer, piloted by Steve Fossett, begins its takeoff as a nearby helicopter films the event for audiences in the United Kingdom. Fossett is attempting a record-breaking solo flight, non-stop without refueling, to surpass the current record for the longest flight of any aircraft. This is the second attempt in two days after a fuel leak was detected Feb. 7. The actual launch time was 7:22 a.m. Feb. 8.

Netherlands Artemis Accords Signing

Harm van de Wetering, director of the Netherlands Space Office, center, signs the Artemis Accords as NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, left, and Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United States Birgitta Tazelaar, right, look on, Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, at the Dutch Ambassador’s Residence in Washington. Netherlands is the 31st country to sign the Artemis Accords, which establish a practical set of principles to guide space exploration cooperation among nations participating in NASA’s Artemis program. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Netherlands Artemis Accords Signing

Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United States Birgitta Tazelaar delivers remarks during an Artemis Accords signing ceremony, Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, at the Dutch Ambassador’s Residence in Washington. Netherlands is the 31st country to sign the Artemis Accords, which establish a practical set of principles to guide space exploration cooperation among nations participating in NASA’s Artemis program. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

The InSight Team at JPL

The InSight Team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, JPL, in June 2015. The InSight team is comprised of scientists and engineers from multiple disciplines and is a unique collaboration between countries and organizations around the world. The science team includes co-investigators from the U.S., France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Japan, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22234

Netherlands Artemis Accords Signing

Harm van de Wetering, director of the Netherlands Space Office, center, signs the Artemis Accords as NASA Administrator Bill Nelson, left, and Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United States Birgitta Tazelaar, right, look on, Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, at the Dutch Ambassador’s Residence in Washington. Netherlands is the 31st country to sign the Artemis Accords, which establish a practical set of principles to guide space exploration cooperation among nations participating in NASA’s Artemis program. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

Netherlands Artemis Accords Signing

Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the United States Birgitta Tazelaar delivers remarks during an Artemis Accords signing ceremony, Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, at the Dutch Ambassador’s Residence in Washington. Netherlands is the 31st country to sign the Artemis Accords, which establish a practical set of principles to guide space exploration cooperation among nations participating in NASA’s Artemis program. Photo Credit: (NASA/Joel Kowsky)

The InSight Team at Lockheed Martin

The InSight Team at Lockheed Martin Space in May 2017 The InSight team is comprised of scientists and engineers from multiple disciplines and is a unique collaboration between countries and organizations around the world. The science team includes co-investigators from the U.S., France, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Japan, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. https://photojournal.jpl.nasa.gov/catalog/PIA22235

International Space Station (ISS)

This artist's digital concept depicts the completely assembled International Space Station (ISS) passing over Florida. As a gateway to permanent human presence in space, the Space Station Program is to expand knowledge benefiting all people and nations. The ISS is a multidisciplinary laboratory, technology test bed, and observatory that will provide unprecedented undertakings in scientific, technological, and international experimentation. Experiments to be conducted in the ISS include: microgravity research, Earth science, space science, life sciences, space product development, and engineering research and technology. The sixteen countries participating the ISS are: United States, Russian Federation, Canada, Japan, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, France, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, and Brazil.

International Space Station (ISS)

This artist's concept depicts the completely assembled International Space Station (ISS) passing over Florida and the Bahamas. As a gateway to permanent human presence in space, the Space Station Program is to expand knowledge benefiting all people and nations. The ISS is a multidisciplinary laboratory, technology test bed, and observatory that will provide unprecedented undertakings in scientific, technological, and international experimentation. Experiments to be conducted in the ISS include: microgravity research, Earth science, space science, life sciences, space product development, and engineering research and technology. The sixteen countries participating in the ISS are: United States, Russian Federation, Canada, Japan, United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, France, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, and Brazil.

SWOT Prelaunch

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket with the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) spacecraft onboard is seen as preparations for launch continue, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2022, at Space Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Jointly developed by NASA and Centre National D'Etudes Spatiales (CNES), with contributions from the Canadian Space Agency (CSA) and United Kingdom Space Agency, SWOT is the first satellite mission that will observe nearly all water on Earth’s surface, measuring the height of water in the planet’s lakes, rivers, reservoirs, and the ocean. Photo Credit: (NASA/Keegan Barber)