25 years ago, a NASA astronaut witnessed the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks from space and captured a haunting photograph of smoke rising over New York City

An astronaut witnessed the 9/11 attacks from space, capturing a haunting image of smoke over New York City. Frank Culbertson, aboard the ISS, photographed the massive plume after the World Trade Center towers collapsed. He also observed a striking absence of airplane contrails across the United States. This unique vantage point offered a sobering view of the unfolding tragedy below. Culbertson's photograph remains a powerful visual record of that day.