Even at this altitude and under some distortion from the atmosphere it was possible to make out the almost insect-like profile made so distinctive by the massive array of solar panels on its extremities.
The solar reflection was quite pronounced, no doubt accentuated by the lower levels of pollution which are a rare, good consequence of the otherwise devastating health emergency that we are all now very much involved with.
At such times of peril on the surface of planet Earth you would perhaps look a bit enviously at the ultimate means to achieve isolation and the lowest possible risk of exposure to the pathogens of the Covid-19 virus.
That rather base emotion did not even cross my mind at the sight of the ISS.
I did have some empathy with distant ancestors upon witnessing this type of celestial event although I possessed the advantage of prior knowledge of it taking place and had no cause for fear, distress or pit of the stomach sheer horror that will have accompanied a solar eclipse, the passing of a comet or the plummeting to the ground of a fiery meteorite in those times past. We have progressed in intelligence and understanding but I could still sense a deep rooted genetic compulsion to bury the family silver in a deep hole in the middle of a farmers field.
As those who read my blog regularly know I am a bit of a fan of Space and all things astronauty. This started with the first Lunar Landing in 1969 which I think I watched, age 6, on our grainy black and white television followed by other Apollo and Soyuz missions featured in my teenage magazines. The Skylab mission in 1973 was an exciting development as a forerunner of Humans living for prolonged periods in Earth Orbit. The Space Shuttle programme had equal fascination for me but tempered by the two tragic accidents.
A couple of years ago I took part in the Crowd Funding to preserve for future generations the Spacesuit of Neil Armstrong and , as they say, the folks at The Smithsonian sent me the T shirt as part of the reward scheme for contributors.
The ISS has been a particular interest of mine since its launch in 1998 and first occupation in November 2000. Its crewing over the years of 239 has involved the participation, to date, of 19 nations with main representation behind the US and Russia from Japan, Canada, Italy, France and Germany. Single representatives have been sent from 12 other countries from all continents.
As we all looked up at the bright shining light and thought about the current global crisis we did share a thought for its three current occupants and how they must be feeling for their own loved ones at this time.
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