Live International Space Station Tracking Map
The International Space Station (ISS) is a scientific laboratory orbiting space that is used to research fields such as biology, physics, astronomy, and meteorology.
Use the live tracker below to find the ISS based on its current coordinates on a map, altitude, and speed. The tracker also shows its path 90 minutes ago (-1.5 hr) and 90 minutes ahead (+1.5 hr). The dark overlay indicates nighttime. Courtesy of the European Space Agency.
Where is the ISS?
The International Space Station’s orbit typically ranges from 205 to 270 miles above the Earth’s surface. Its orbital period is about 90 minutes, which means it completes an orbit around the Earth every hour and a half.
The ISS travels at about 17,500 miles per hour/ 28,000 kilometers per hour.
No special equipment is needed to see it.
The ISS orbits the Earth every 90 minutes which means the crew on board will see 16 sunrises and sunsets every day
What is the International Space Station?
The International Space Station contains a variety of research facilities and laboratories for scientific study. Astronauts conduct experiments in fields like biology, physics, material sciences, medicine, technology, and Earth Observation.
The International Space Station also serves as a platform for the launch of spacecraft to explore deep space and observe planets, asteroids, and comets in the solar system. Launches from the ISS to other destinations have included the Mars Exploration Rover in 2003, the Phoenix Mars Lander in 2007, and the Curiosity Rover in 2011.
The ISS was launched in 1998, and since then has been constantly occupied by a rotating international crew of astronauts. The International Space Station is made up of several pressurized modules, which are joined together to form its main structure. The largest component is the U.S. Orbital Segment, which consists of eight pressurized modules: Unity, Quest, Harmony, Tranquility, Destiny Laboratory Module, Leonardo Multipurpose Logistics Module, and two Crew Return Vehicles. The other modules are from other space agencies such as the Japanese Kibo laboratory module, the European Columbus laboratory, and the Russian Zvezda service module.
The International Space Station is an international collaboration between 15 space agencies from around the world, including NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), Roscosmos of Russia, Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA).
The United States government will continue to operate the ISS until 2030 and will then transition it to commercial operations such as space travel.
View the Naturalist’s Guide Celestial Calendar for iCal for lunar dates, moon names, meteor showers, comets, and more celestial events here✨
