International Space Station often visible from Earth. How to spot it
Yahoo News UK • • general
Key Points:
- The International Space Station (ISS) has been continuously orbiting Earth for over 25 years, serving as a global laboratory for scientific research and a platform for preparing human space exploration beyond low-Earth orbit.
- Traveling at about 17,500 mph and orbiting Earth every 90 minutes, the ISS is often visible from the ground, especially within a few hours before or after sunrise and sunset, appearing as a bright, fast-moving light in the sky.
- NASA's free "Spot the Station" app and the European Space Agency's online tracker provide real-time notifications and location data to help the public know when and where to see the ISS without needing special equipment.
- The current crew aboard the ISS includes seven astronauts from NASA, Roscosmos, and the European Space Agency as part of Expedition 74, with recent arrivals from the SpaceX Crew-12 mission and Soyuz MS-28 spacecraft.
- The ISS is expected to be retired and deorbited in the coming years, making opportunities to observe it from Earth increasingly valuable for enthusiasts and the general public alike.
