Astronaut Takes Eerie Photo of 'Space Angel' Orbiting Earth in Space Station

European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti photographed Russia's Soyuz launch from her vantage point on the International Space Station, the trails left behind sparking the imagination of observers

The photo of what looks like a space angel taken after the launch of the Russian Soyuz (

Image: Samantha Cristoforetti/ESA/SWNS)

An astronaut took a photo of what looks like a 'space angel' orbiting Earth.

European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti photographed the Russian Soyuz launch last Wednesday (September 21).

From its vantage point on the International Space Station (ISS), the traces left by the crewed flight have captured the imagination of some observers.

Amanda Kooser, technology expert for CNET's website, likened it to an "angelic figure, wings outstretched, soaring into orbit."

While the IFLScience blog described it as a "big nose-down space angel".

Another online commenter posted, "Wow" almost sounds like a scene from a 1960s space movie. It doesn't look real. Beautiful, but unreal."

European Space Agency astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti aboard the space station (

Picture:

NASA/SWNS)

Astronaut Cristoforetti, who will soon assume the role of Commander of the International Space Station, wrote: "We had a spectacular view of the Soyuz launch!

"Sergey, Dmitry and Frank will be knocking on our door in a few hours, eager to welcome them to their new home!"

NASA astronaut Frank Rubio was traveling to the ISS with Russian cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitry Petelin.