Thomas Pesquet, an astronaut from the European Space Agency, captured images of a Russian Progress capsule pulling the old Pirs module into Earth's atmosphere.NASA astronauts said farewell to the International Space Station's cornerstone on Monday, July 26th. They also captured incredible images of the space station burning in Earth's atmosphere.The Russian Progress cargo vehicle pulled the module, Pirs, from the space station to Earth's atmosphere. This was to ensure that the module burnt completely and to reduce the chance of large pieces making it to Earth's surface.Thomas Pesquet, an astronaut at the European Space Agency, wrote that it was a "very strange feeling" to watch a piece of your ship go in mid-air. He also shared the statement with the photos on Monday.Related: International Space Station at 20, A photo tourPesquet said that smaller pieces were visible floating away from the main fireworks as the ship was being destroyed by heat due to atmospheric friction. It was quite the spectacle!Russia launched the Pirs module in 2001. Since then, the module has hosted over 70 capsules and supported Russian astronauts who were undertaking extravehicular activities or spacewalks.Image 1 of 4 Images taken by Thomas Pesquet, European Space Agency astronaut on July 26, 2021. The images show a Russian Progress capsule pulling the retired Pirs module into Earth's atmosphere. (Image credit: ESA/NASAT. Pesquet. Image 2 of 4 Photographs taken by Thomas Pesquet, European Space Agency astronaut on July 26, 2021. They show a Russian Progress capsule pulling the retired Pirs module into Earth's atmosphere. (Image credit: ESA/NASAT. Pesquet. Image 3 of 4 Photographs taken by Thomas Pesquet, European Space Agency astronaut on July 26, 2021. They show a Russian Progress capsule pulling the retired Pirs module into Earth's atmosphere. Image credit: ESA/NASAT. Pesquet. Image 4 of 4 Photographs taken by Thomas Pesquet, European Space Agency astronaut on July 26, 2021. They show a Russian Progress capsule pulling the retired Pirs module into Earth's atmosphere. (Image credit: ESA/NASAT. PesquetPirs was forced to leave in order to make way for Russia's latest science module, Nauka. It launched on July 21st and will arrive at station on Thursday, July 29th. Yesterday's fiery retirement ceremony marked the first time that a major component has been removed from the International Space Station.The Progress vehicle attached to Pirs' reentry, which arrived at the station in February, managed to control the Progress vehicle so that the module could be destroyed as completely as possible.Send Meghan Bartels an email at mbartels@space.com, or follow her Twitter @meghanbartels. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @Spacedotcom
