1. Why is the Space Station up there?
The International Space Station is Earth’s only microgravity laboratory. This football field-sized platform hosts a plethora of science and technology experiments that are continuously being conducted by crew members, or are automated. Research aboard the orbiting laboratory holds benefits for life back on Earth, as well as for future space exploration. The Space Station serves as a testbed for technologies and allows us to study the impacts of long-term spaceflight to humans, supporting NASA’s mission to push human presence farther into space. To learn more about the research happening on the Space Station, and opportunities to conduct your science there, please click here.
2. How fast is the Space Station traveling?
The Station circles the Earth every 90 minutes. It travels at about 17,500 miles (28,000 km) per hour, which gives the crew 16 sunrises and sunsets every day. In the more than 15 years that people have been living onboard, the Station has circumnavigated the Earth tens of thousands of times. You can see more facts about the Station on this webpage.
3. How often can I expect to see the Space Station?
The Space Station is visible because it reflects the light of the Sun – the same reason we can see the Moon. However, unlike the Moon, the Space Station isn’t bright enough to see during the day. It can only be seen when it is dawn or dusk at your location. As such, it can range from one sighting opportunity a month to several a week, since it has to be both dark where you are, and the Space Station has to happen to be going overhead.
4. What is the Spot the Station mobile app?
The Spot the Station mobile app is an official NASA app that helps users track and receive notifications for sightings of the International Space Station as it passes over their location. It provides real-time tracking, sighting schedules, and alerts.
5. How do I download the Spot the Station mobile app?
You can download the app from both the Apple App Store here and Google Play Store here.
6. How does the app notify me of upcoming Station sightings?
The app sends push notifications to alert you of upcoming Station sightings, including the date, time, duration, and visibility conditions specific to your location. Please make sure that you have enabled notifications permissions for this app in your phone’s settings.
7. Can I customize notifications in the app?
Yes, you can personalize alert settings in the app to receive notifications based on your preferred location, sighting conditions, and even specific times that work best for you.
8. What should I do if I’m not receiving notifications?
If you’re not receiving alerts, make sure notifications are enabled in your device settings. Also, check the app’s notification preferences to confirm you’ve set up alerts for your chosen location and preferred timing.
9. Does the app work internationally?
Yes, the Spot the Station app is available worldwide and provides sighting information for most inhabited locations, making it easy to view the Station from almost anywhere.
10. Why aren’t there any sighting opportunities for my location?
It needs to be dark where you are and the Space Station needs to be overhead in order for you to see it. Since the space Station’s orbit takes it all around the globe, it can pass over you at times when it will not be visible- either in the middle of the day or the middle of the night. Spot The Station will only send out notifications when you will have an opportunity to see the Space Station, not every time it will be overhead.
11. Do I need a telescope to see the Space Station?
No, you can see the Space Station with your bare eyes, no equipment required.
12. Does the Station appear and then disappear because of the light of the Moon?
The Space Station is visible because it is reflecting light from the Sun. This is the same reason that the Moon appears to shine. Even when the Moon hasn’t risen, you’ll still be able to see the space station.
13. What time zone is used for alert notifications?
All of the Spot The Station information is listed in the local time zone for the selected location. Spot The Station automatically adjusts for Daylight Savings Time.
14. What information does the app provide for each sighting?
For each sighting, the app displays the time, visibility duration, maximum height, and directions where the Station will appear and disappear, helping you locate it accurately in the sky.
15. How do I spot the Station during each sighting? What does all this sighting information mean?
The app provides a list of Upcoming Sightings if you tap on the Next Sightings List on the Home page.
- Date and time is when the sighting opportunity will begin in your local time zone. All sightings will occur within a few hours before or after sunrise or sunset. This is the optimum viewing period as the sun reflects off the Space Station and contrasts against the darker sky.
- Above the horizon is the maximum time period the Space Station is visible before crossing back below the horizon.
- Max height is measured in degrees (also known as elevation). It represents the height of the Space Station from the horizon in the night sky. The horizon is at zero degrees, and directly overhead is ninety degrees. If you hold your fist at arm’s length and place your fist resting on the horizon, the top will be about 10 degrees.
- Appears is the location in the sky where the Station will be visible first. This value, like maximum height, also is measured in degrees from the horizon. The letters represent compass directions — N is north, WNW is west by northwest, and so on.
- Disappears represents where in the night sky the International Space Station will leave your field of view.
The Spot the Station software rounds off directions to the nearest cardinal and intracardinal directions. This can result in it seeming as though the Station will be appearing and disappearing in the same direction even though it is traveling across the sky. This typically happens on flyovers with a short window of visibility because the Station is quickly moving into (or out of) the Earth’s dark shadow where, from our location on the ground, we can’t observe its full pass across the sky.
17. Can I view a live map of the Station’s location?
Yes, the app includes a real-time map showing the current position of the Station as it orbits Earth, giving you a visual reference to track its progress.
18. What is the AR feature in the Spot the Station app?
The Augmented Reality (AR) feature in the Spot the Station app allows users to view a virtual overlay of the International Space Station’s path in the sky. This feature helps users locate the Station more accurately by aligning their device with the real-time position of the Station.
19. How do I access the AR feature in the app?
To access the AR feature, open the app and navigate to the AR View option in the bottom menu. Follow on-screen prompts to align your device’s camera with the sky, where the app will display a virtual overlay indicating the Station’s position and trajectory.
Add the SpotTheStation@hq.nasa.gov email address to your list of allowed senders.
20. Do I need a specific device or software to use the AR feature?
The AR feature requires a device that can determine its orientation in 3D space. It requires specific hardware support, such as a gyroscope or motion co-processor. Older or budget devices may not support this functionality.
21. How does the AR feature work?
Using your device’s camera and sensors, the AR feature superimposes the Station’s location in the sky onto your screen, adjusting in real time as you move your device. The app guides you to point your camera in the correct direction and shows you where the Station will appear and disappear.
22. Can I use the AR feature during both day and night?
Yes, you can use the AR feature during both day and night; however, the best experience is typically during twilight or nighttime when the Station is visible to the naked eye. The AR overlay will work regardless of the light conditions, but actual sightings depend on visibility.
23. Is the AR overlay accurate for all locations?
Yes, the AR feature is designed to provide accurate position information based on your GPS location. However, accuracy may vary slightly depending on your device’s compass and sensor calibration. If you notice discrepancies, recalibrate your device’s compass through Settings.
24. Can the AR feature help with exact sighting times?
The AR feature visually guides you to locate the Station at the precise time it appears in the sky. Coupled with the app’s sighting alerts, it enhances your ability to see the Station by giving you a live, visual direction and height indicator to track it precisely.
25. Are there tips for optimizing my AR experience?
Some basic functionality, like accessing previously downloaded sighting schedules or receiving scheduled notifications, may work offline. However, features requiring real-time data, such as tracking, require an internet connection.
26. Is the AR feature available on both Android and iOS?
Yes, the AR feature is available on both iOS and Android versions of the app, as long as your device meets the AR platform requirements (ARKit for iOS, ARCore for Android).
27. Does the app work offline?
Some basic functionality, like accessing previously downloaded sighting schedules or receiving scheduled notifications, may work offline. However, features requiring real-time data, such as tracking, require an internet connection.
28. Are there any special requirements for using the app?
The app requires an active internet connection for real-time tracking and alerts. Additionally, for location-specific information, ensure your device’s location services are enabled for the app.
29. Is the app free to use?
Yes, the Spot the Station app is free to download and use, with no in-app purchases or subscriptions.
30. Who can I contact for app support?
For support with the Spot the Station app, visit NASA’s support page or reach out through the feedback option within the app.