🛰️ ISS Tracker & Spotter
Track the International Space Station in real-time and discover when you can see it from your location
Watch Humanity’s Home in Space Fly Overhead
The International Space Station orbits Earth every 90 minutes at approximately 28,000 km/h (17,500 mph), traveling at an altitude of about 408 kilometers (253 miles). This orbital laboratory, roughly the size of a football field, is one of the brightest objects in the night sky and can be seen with the naked eye from anywhere on Earth.
Our ISS Tracker provides real-time position data from NASA’s Spot The Station service, showing you exactly when the ISS will pass over your location. With visibility predictions updated continuously, you’ll never miss an opportunity to witness this incredible feat of human engineering streak across your sky like a fast-moving star.
Whether you’re an astronomy enthusiast, educator, or simply curious about space exploration, tracking the ISS connects you directly to the international crew living and working 400 kilometers above your head. The station completes about 16 orbits per day, offering multiple viewing opportunities for most locations on Earth.
🚀 Quick ISS Facts
- Orbital Speed: 28,000 km/h (7.66 km/s)
- Altitude: ~408 km above Earth
- Orbit Time: 90 minutes per orbit
- Daily Orbits: ~16 complete orbits
- Visibility: Brighter than most stars
- Best Viewing: Dawn/dusk hours
- Size: 109m × 73m (football field)
- Crew Size: Usually 6-7 astronauts
Track the ISS Live
🛰️ ISS Spotter - International Space Station Pass Predictor
Track the International Space Station in real-time and discover when it will pass over your location. The ISS is the third brightest object in the night sky - visible to the naked eye!
What is the ISS? The International Space Station is a habitable artificial satellite orbiting Earth at 28,000 km/h (17,500 mph), completing one orbit every 90 minutes. Home to astronauts conducting groundbreaking research, it's been continuously occupied since November 2000.
📍 Set Your Location
🌟 Next 10 ISS Passes Over Your Location
Times shown in your local timezone
📅 ISS Viewing Calendar
The ISS orbits Earth 16 times per day - visibility depends on your location and time
🌤️ Optimal Viewing Conditions
Best Viewing Times
The ISS is best viewed during dawn or dusk when the sky is dark but the station is still illuminated by the sun. This typically occurs within 1-2 hours before sunrise or after sunset. During these times, the contrast between the dark sky and the sunlit ISS creates the best viewing conditions.
What to Look For
The ISS looks like a bright, steady, fast-moving star. Unlike planes, it doesn't blink or have colored lights. It moves faster than satellites but slower than meteors. The brightness varies based on viewing angle, but at its best, it's unmistakable - often brighter than any star in the sky.
Direction and Path
Most passes move from west to east, following the station's orbital path. However, the exact direction varies with each pass. Use the predictions above to know exactly where to look. The ISS typically takes 2-6 minutes to cross the sky, depending on the pass elevation and your location.
Dark Sky Preferred
While the ISS is bright enough to see from cities, darker skies provide better viewing. Find a location away from bright streetlights and buildings. Even in urban areas, you can see the ISS, but rural dark skies make it absolutely spectacular. Light pollution mainly affects fainter passes.
Moon Phase Doesn't Matter
Unlike meteor showers, ISS visibility isn't significantly affected by the moon. The station is so bright that it's easily visible even during full moon. However, very bright passes are more dramatic on moonless nights when the ISS stands out even more against the darker sky.
Timing is Critical
ISS passes are very time-sensitive. Be outside and ready at least 5 minutes before the predicted time. The station moves incredibly fast - if you're late by even 2 minutes, you might miss it entirely. Set alarms for passes you don't want to miss, especially rare bright ones.
Use Pass Predictions
Always check updated pass predictions before viewing. The ISS orbit changes slightly due to atmospheric drag and periodic boosts. Predictions are accurate for the next few days but become less reliable weeks out. This tool provides real-time predictions for your exact location.
Check Weather
Clear skies are essential - even thin clouds can obscure the ISS. Check weather forecasts for cloud cover, not just rain. High-altitude cirrus clouds might be invisible during the day but can block nighttime views. Best conditions are crystal clear nights after cold fronts pass through.
No Equipment Needed
Your naked eyes are perfect for ISS viewing. Binoculars or telescopes aren't recommended - they limit your field of view and make tracking difficult. With binoculars you might see the solar panels as "wings," but it's challenging. Save your telescope for planets and deep-sky objects.
Know Your Sky
Familiarize yourself with the sky directions from your viewing location. Know where north, south, east, and west are. Learn a few bright stars and constellations to use as reference points. This helps you quickly locate the predicted appearance point and track the ISS path.
Bring Friends and Family
ISS spotting is a great group activity! Kids especially love knowing real astronauts are passing overhead. The bright, moving light naturally sparks conversations about space exploration. Multiple observers also help ensure nobody misses it - there's always someone who spots it first.
Photography Challenge
Photographing the ISS requires camera settings similar to astrophotography: wide aperture (f/2.8 or lower), high ISO (1600-3200), and exposure times of 10-30 seconds. Use a tripod and capture the station as a bright line across your image. Advanced: try capturing ISS transiting the moon!
👀 Step-by-Step ISS Spotting Guide
Check Pass Times Above
Review the upcoming passes and select one with good visibility rating. Note the exact time, direction, and maximum elevation. Higher elevation passes are easier to see.
Go Outside Early
Head outside 5-10 minutes before the predicted time. This gives your eyes time to adjust to darkness and ensures you don't miss the start of the pass.
Find the Correct Direction
Face the direction where the ISS will first appear (shown in pass details). Use a compass app on your phone if needed. The ISS typically appears in the west and moves toward the east.
Look Low on Horizon
The ISS will appear low on the horizon initially, looking like a moving star. It will be traveling fast - crossing the entire sky in just 2-6 minutes.
Track Across the Sky
Follow the bright point of light as it moves overhead. It should be steady (not blinking) and brighter than most stars. At maximum elevation, it may be as bright as Venus!
Watch Until It Disappears
Continue tracking until the ISS either enters Earth's shadow (suddenly disappears) or drops below the opposite horizon. The entire pass is a spectacular sight!
📊 Amazing ISS Facts
Third Brightest Object in Night Sky
The ISS is the third brightest object you can see in the night sky after the Moon and Venus. At its brightest, it reaches magnitude -5.9, making it impossible to miss! When conditions are perfect, you can even see it during twilight. The brightness comes from sunlight reflecting off its massive solar arrays, which are larger than a basketball court.
Traveling at 17,500 MPH
The ISS orbits Earth at approximately 28,000 km/h (17,500 mph). At this speed, it completes one orbit around Earth every 90 minutes. This means astronauts aboard see 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets every single day! The station must travel this fast to maintain its orbit and counteract Earth's gravitational pull.
Size of a Football Field
The ISS spans 109 meters (358 feet) from end to end - longer than an American football field. It weighs approximately 420,000 kg (925,000 pounds) and has a living space roughly equivalent to a six-bedroom house. Inside are 6 sleeping quarters, 2 bathrooms, a gym, and a 360-degree bay window for Earth observations.
Orbits at 400 Kilometers
The ISS maintains an orbit approximately 400 km (250 miles) above Earth's surface. This altitude is carefully chosen - high enough to minimize atmospheric drag but low enough for affordable resupply missions. The station must occasionally boost its orbit as atmospheric drag slowly brings it down about 2 km per month.
Continuously Occupied Since 2000
Since November 2, 2000, the ISS has been continuously inhabited by rotating crews of astronauts and cosmonauts. That's over 24 years of continuous human presence in space! Crew sizes typically range from 3 to 7 people. To date, 274 individuals from 22 countries have visited the station.
Cost of $150 Billion
The ISS is the most expensive single object ever constructed by humans, with costs exceeding $150 billion. It represents collaboration among NASA (USA), Roscosmos (Russia), ESA (Europe), JAXA (Japan), and CSA (Canada). This includes construction, launches, operations, and all supporting infrastructure over decades.
Solar Panels Generate 120 Kilowatts
Eight massive solar array wings cover an area of 2,500 square meters - enough to power 40 average homes. They generate about 120 kilowatts of electricity, with 84 kilowatts available for experiments and life support. The arrays constantly rotate to track the sun, completing one rotation every 90-minute orbit.
Microgravity Research Laboratory
The ISS is a unique microgravity laboratory conducting experiments impossible on Earth. Research includes studying protein crystal growth for drug development, testing new materials, growing plants for future Mars missions, and understanding how the human body adapts to space. Over 3,000 research investigations have been conducted.
Visible to Naked Eye
Unlike satellites requiring telescopes, the ISS is easily visible to the naked eye from anywhere on Earth between 51.6° North and 51.6° South latitude. No special equipment needed - just your eyes and clear skies! It appears as a bright, fast-moving point of light, crossing the sky in just a few minutes.
Assembled Over 40+ Missions
The ISS wasn't launched in one piece - it was assembled in space over 13 years through more than 40 assembly missions. Construction began with the Russian Zarya module in 1998 and major assembly was completed in 2011. It required spacewalks totaling more than 1,000 hours to connect modules and install equipment.
Planned Until At Least 2030
Originally planned to operate until 2015, the ISS mission has been extended multiple times. Current plans keep it operational until at least 2030. After that, NASA plans to transition to commercial space stations. The ISS will eventually be safely deorbited into the Pacific Ocean's spacecraft cemetery.
Drinking Recycled Water
Astronauts aboard the ISS drink water recycled from their urine, sweat, and even humidity from their breath. The Environmental Control and Life Support System recycles about 90% of all water-based liquids. This recycling is crucial since launching water from Earth costs about $10,000 per pound. The recycled water is cleaner than most tap water!
🏆 Historic ISS Milestones
First ISS Sighting
The first module, Zarya, became visible from Earth on November 20, 1998, just hours after launch.
Impact: Marked the beginning of the largest international space cooperation project in history.
"The beginning of a new era in space" - NASA Administrator
Continuous Habitation Begins
On November 2, 2000, Expedition 1 crew arrived, marking the start of 24+ years of continuous human presence in space.
Impact: Humans have lived in space non-stop since this date - currently over 8,700 consecutive days.
"We are here to stay" - Bill Shepherd, Expedition 1 Commander
ISS Assembly Complete
After 13 years and 40+ missions, ISS assembly was declared complete with the final Space Shuttle mission.
Impact: Created the largest artificial structure in space, visible as the third brightest object in night sky.
"A triumph of international cooperation" - NASA
Commercial Crew Era
SpaceX Demo-2 marked the first commercial crew mission to ISS, launching astronauts on a privately-built spacecraft.
Impact: Opened new era of commercial spaceflight, reducing launch costs and increasing access to space.
"A new chapter in human spaceflight" - NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine
Record ISS Brightness
During optimal geometry, ISS reached peak brightness of magnitude -5.9, rivaling Venus at its brightest.
Impact: Demonstrated how visible the station is - bright enough to cast shadows on Earth.
"It looked like a slow-moving jetliner" - Observer account
One Million Orbits
The ISS completed its one-millionth orbit of Earth, traveling over 40 billion kilometers (25 billion miles) since launch.
Impact: Equivalent to traveling to Mars and back over 100 times, all while maintaining human life in space.
"An incredible milestone for humanity" - ESA
📸 ISS Photography Guide
Capture the International Space Station with these professional techniques
📷 Essential Equipment
- DSLR or Mirrorless Camera: Any camera with manual controls
- Wide-Angle Lens: 14-35mm for capturing full pass
- Sturdy Tripod: Essential for long exposures
- Remote Shutter: Cable release or intervalometer
- Extra Batteries: Cold weather drains batteries quickly
- Red Headlamp: To preserve your night vision
⚙️ Camera Settings
- Mode: Manual (M)
- Aperture: f/2.8 or wider (f/1.8, f/1.4 ideal)
- Shutter Speed: 15-30 seconds (captures ISS as line)
- ISO: 1600-3200 (adjust based on light pollution)
- Focus: Manual focus on bright star or distant light at infinity
- Format: RAW for maximum post-processing flexibility
🎨 Composition Tips
- Include Foreground: Trees, buildings, mountains add interest
- Rule of Thirds: Place horizon in lower third, maximize sky
- Know the Path: Frame your shot where ISS will appear
- Multiple Exposures: Take 20-30 images to stack later
- Scout Location: Visit during daytime to plan compositions
- Wide Field: ISS moves fast - use wide lens to catch entire pass
🌟 Advanced Techniques
- ISS Transit Photography: Capture ISS crossing moon/sun (requires precise timing)
- Image Stacking: Combine multiple exposures to show ISS path across sky
- Star Trails with ISS: Very long exposures (5+ min) create artistic effect
- Time-Lapse: Shoot every 2-3 seconds for video compilation
- High Magnification: 300mm+ can reveal solar panel "wings"
- ISS Detail Capture: Video at high frame rate during overhead pass
❌ ISS Viewing Myths Busted
MYTH: You need a telescope to see the ISS
The ISS is the third brightest object in the night sky. It's so large and reflective that it's actually HARDER to see with a telescope because it moves too fast to track and limits your field of view.
MYTH: The ISS only passes over certain locations
The ISS orbit covers latitudes from 51.6°N to 51.6°S, passing over nearly every inhabited area of Earth multiple times daily. If you live in this zone, you can see it regularly.
MYTH: You can only see it at midnight
The ISS is most visible 1-2 hours after sunset or before sunrise when the sky is dark but the station is still illuminated by sunlight. Middle-of-night passes are often invisible.
MYTH: The ISS looks like a plane
Planes have blinking lights (red, green, white) and make noise. The ISS appears as a steady, bright white light moving smoothly and silently across the sky - unmistakable once you see it.
MYTH: It's too fast to photograph
Use 10-30 second exposures to capture the ISS as a bright streak across your image. With practice, you can even photograph it transiting the moon or sun!
MYTH: You need perfect weather
While clear skies are best, the ISS is so bright that you can often see it through thin clouds or light haze, especially during bright passes. Don't skip viewing just because it's not perfectly clear.
🔬 The Science of ISS Visibility
Why is the ISS So Bright?
The ISS appears bright because of its massive solar panels reflecting sunlight. With eight arrays covering 2,500 square meters, they act like giant mirrors. The station's white exterior also reflects sunlight efficiently. At optimal angles, it can reach magnitude -5.9, brighter than any planet except Venus. The brightness varies based on the viewing angle and solar panel orientation.
Understanding ISS Orbits
The ISS follows an inclined orbit at 51.6° to the equator, chosen to allow launches from both Russian and American spaceports. It completes 15.54 orbits daily, meaning ground track shifts westward with each pass. This inclination means the ISS passes over different locations at different times, making every pass unique for observers on the ground.
Viewing Window Physics
The ISS is only visible when it's in sunlight while you're in darkness. This "twilight viewing window" occurs because the sun illuminates the station from below Earth's horizon. Too early or late and either you're in sunlight or the ISS is in Earth's shadow. This window lasts roughly 2-3 hours after sunset and before sunrise, creating limited viewing opportunities.
Elevation and Visibility
Pass elevation (height above horizon) dramatically affects visibility. Low passes (10-30°) are dim and short. Medium passes (30-60°) are good. Overhead passes (80-90°) are spectacular! Elevation depends on how close the orbital ground track comes to your location. The ISS appears to move faster when overhead because it's closer - same speed, shorter distance from you.
Atmospheric Effects
Atmospheric refraction slightly raises the apparent position of the ISS near the horizon, similar to how the setting sun appears flattened. Turbulence can make it twinkle like stars. In humid conditions, you might even see a brief "flare" as sunlight reflects off specific surfaces. At very low elevations, atmospheric extinction can dim the ISS by several magnitudes.
Why Some Passes Vanish Suddenly
Sometimes the ISS suddenly disappears mid-pass - it entered Earth's shadow! This happens when the station moves from sunlit space into Earth's cone of shadow. The transition is instant and dramatic, like someone switched off a light. This is most common during evening passes as the shadow extends eastward. Morning passes may see the ISS brighten suddenly as it exits shadow.
How to Spot the ISS from Your Location
1️⃣ Enter Your Location
Allow location access or manually enter your city, coordinates, or address. Our tracker uses precise orbital data to calculate ISS passes visible from your exact position.
2️⃣ Check Pass Times
View upcoming visible passes with exact times, duration, brightness (magnitude), and trajectory. Best viewing occurs during twilight hours when the sky is dark but the ISS is still illuminated by the Sun.
3️⃣ Look Up and Wave!
Go outside during the predicted time, look in the specified direction, and watch for a bright, fast-moving “star” with no blinking lights. The ISS takes about 3-5 minutes to cross the sky from horizon to horizon!
Why Track the ISS?
🌍 Connect to Space Exploration
Witnessing the ISS overhead creates a tangible connection to ongoing space exploration. You’re watching a laboratory where astronauts conduct experiments that benefit humanity, from satellite technology to medical research in microgravity.
📚 Educational Inspiration
Perfect for classrooms and family activities! Use our orbital speed calculator to understand the physics behind the ISS’s motion, or explore how time dilation affects astronauts at high speeds.
🎯 Perfect Timing for Photography
Capture stunning photos or time-lapses of the ISS transiting the Moon or Sun! Our precise predictions help you plan telescope observations or wide-field astrophotography sessions to document this engineering marvel.
⏰ Real-Time Space Connection
The ISS completes an orbit every 90 minutes, giving you multiple chances daily to see it! Compare its speed with our Mars travel times or discover how its orbit relates to gravitational physics.
Understanding ISS Orbital Mechanics
🔄 Orbital Path & Inclination
The ISS orbits at a 51.6-degree inclination to the equator, allowing it to pass over approximately 90% of Earth’s populated areas. This orbital angle was chosen to enable launches from both Russian (Baikonur) and American (Kennedy) launch sites while maximizing Earth observation coverage.
☀️ Why It’s So Bright
With its massive solar arrays spanning 73 meters, the ISS reflects sunlight like a mirror in space. It can reach a magnitude of -5.9, making it brighter than Venus! The best viewing times are just after sunset or before sunrise when the sky is dark but the ISS is still illuminated by the Sun.
🛸 Reboost Maneuvers
Earth’s thin atmosphere at 400km altitude still creates drag, causing the ISS to slowly descend. Regular reboost maneuvers using visiting spacecraft (Progress, Cygnus, or Dragon) raise its orbit about 2km higher. Without these adjustments, the ISS would eventually reenter Earth’s atmosphere.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often can I see the ISS from my location?
Most locations can see the ISS multiple times per week, with some periods offering daily sightings. The frequency depends on your latitude and the ISS’s orbital inclination. Tropical and mid-latitude regions typically have the most viewing opportunities, with passes occurring at various times throughout the day and night.
Do I need a telescope to see the ISS?
No! The ISS is visible to the naked eye and appears as a bright, fast-moving point of light. It’s often brighter than the brightest stars and planets. However, binoculars or a telescope can reveal more detail, potentially showing the solar panels and main structure during particularly bright passes.
What’s the best time to observe the ISS?
The best viewing times are during twilight—within an hour after sunset or before sunrise—when your location is in darkness but the ISS is still illuminated by sunlight. These passes are brighter and easier to spot against the darkening sky. Midday passes occur but are invisible because the bright sky washes them out.
How can I tell the ISS apart from airplanes or satellites?
The ISS appears as a steady, non-blinking light moving at a consistent speed across the sky (horizon to horizon in 3-5 minutes). Unlike airplanes, it doesn’t have blinking navigation lights. It’s also typically much brighter than other satellites and moves faster than most visible satellites, making it distinctive once you know what to look for.
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