Astronaut’s last hello from space

Laurel Clark of Racine, Wisconsin, was a submarine doctor with the US navy before joining NASA in 1996. The mother of an eight-year-old son,...

Laurel Clark of Racine, Wisconsin, was a submarine doctor with the US navy before joining NASA in 1996. The mother of an eight-year-old son, she was on her first shuttle mission. The day before she died, she sent an e-mail home to family and friends:

‘‘Hello from above our magnificent planet Earth. The perspective is truly awe-inspiring. This is a terrific mission and we are very busy doing science round the clock. Just getting a moment to type e-mail is precious so this will be short, and distributed to many who I know and love.

I have seen some incredible sights: lightning spreading over the Pacific, the Aurora Australis lighting up the entire visible horizon…a crescent moon setting over the limb of our blue planet….I have seen my ‘friend’ Orion several times.

Taking photos of the Earth is a real challenge, but a steep learning curve. I think I have finally gotten some beautiful shots the last two days. Keeping my fingers crossed that they’re in sharp focus…..Thanks to many of you who have supported me and my adventures throughout the years. This was definitely one to beat all. I hope you could feel the positive energy that beamed to the whole planet as we glided over our shared planet.

Love to all, Laurel.’’