Chilling on the International Space Station

Here's what it looks like from above since the ISS had the Cupola installed in February:

This was the APOD (Astronomy Picture of the Day) yesterday.

My thoughts on people in space vs. robotic exploration have changed recently, but luckily I already wrote on the subject last year so I'll just provide the link:

http://www.pagef30.com/2009/05/on-becoming-spacefaring-race.html

In short: people are hardwired towards human drama, and space can be exciting for the average person if our astronauts are seen to be real people (like in the photo here), not just highly-trained specialists that do things in space, return to Earth, and then disappear until they are called to duty again.