Tonight, we had a great view of the International Space Station as it orbited The Marble.

I’ve probably seen it before, but this is the first time that I’ve actually made time to go outside at a predicted time, and watch it glide by. I guess the thing that struck me was how bright it was, and how silent. Other things in the sky — planes, choppers — have a distinct amount of sound that goes along with the show. The ISS, being 100+ miles up, was quiet as could be. Of course, having no big engines, I guess it’d be pretty quiet, eh? 🙂

Somehow, it’s reassuring to me that that craft is there. To me, it’s the last toehold the human race has on space, and, if for no other reason than that, it’s presence above our planet is comforting.