Interior Space: A Visual Exploration of the International Space Station

Interior Space Gallery

Book: Interior Space: A Visual Exploration of the International Space Station

Interior Space is a collaborative project by Roland Miller and Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli that aims to document and interpret the interior of the International Space Station (ISS). The project was inspired by NASA astronaut Cady Coleman’s interest in Miller’s photographic exploration of abandoned launch and test facilities from NASA’s early crewed programs, such as Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. The main goal of Interior Space is to preserve the ISS through photographs that reflect its environment and technology. It is essential to create a visual record that captures both the detailed nuances and the broader aspects of the station's interior.

The Interior Space Project was initiated when Coleman encouraged Miller to find a way to share his photographic vision and technical approach with astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS). Cady was familiar with Miller’s photography of decommissioned and repurposed space launch and test facilities, which are featured in the project Abandoned in Place. Miller drafted a proposal, which NASA and the Italian Space Agency (ASI) both approved, to collaboratively document the interior of the ISS with an astronaut he could guide in taking photographs. His goal was to explore the ISS's interior through a mix of documentary and abstract styles, primarily using available-light photography. Cady liked the idea and connected Miller with Italian astronaut Paolo Nespoli. As it turned out, Nespoli was the ideal partner for the Interior Space project, bringing his own extensive photography experience.

Miller sent screen captures of Google Street View of the ISS’s interior, along with instructions, to Nespoli while he was onboard the ISS for Expeditions 52 and 53. Nespoli followed Miller’s directions and, while responding to the real-time configuration of the ISS, used his experience as both an astronaut and photographer to create the photographs. Miller then digitally processed and prepared the images. Their collaboration resulted in a unique collection that captures the feeling of being inside the ISS. Miller and Nespoli then worked together to create a book of these images, Interior Space: A Visual Exploration of the International Space Station.

In addition to the collaborative images of the ISS interior, Interior Space includes photographs Paolo took of the Space Shuttle Endeavour docked at the ISS as he departed on a Soyuz spacecraft at the end of Expedition 27, and images Miller captured of ISS processing, training, and research facilities across the United States. Combining these Earth-based images with the collaborative photographs Nespoli and Miller took allows Interior Space to tell a broad visual story of the overall ISS program. All images of the ISS in orbit are courtesy of NASA and ASI.