Astronaut Leland Melvin Takes the Best NASA Portrait Ever (2009)
NASA’s astronaut portraits are generally all the same. The beaming astronaut, dressed in their blue, orange, or white flight suits, in front of a United State flag. They often hold a helmet or some symbol of their upcoming flight. When astronaut Leland Melvin sat for his portrait in his ACES suit, it became the most noteworthy – and adorable – NASA portrait to date.
While sitting for his 2008 International Space Station flight aboard the Space Shuttle Atlantis, his beloved rescue dogs Scout and Jake are clamoring for cuddles. Melvin snuck the dogs past security, took them up the back stairs and into the portrait area. As he sat for the portrait, the dogs ran over to him. Melving told photographer Robert Markowitz, “Dude, start shooting!” The result has become an Internet sensation. Melvin was told he could bring family to join him for the photo session, and his dogs are family.
