Where Is the Space Station?

Wondering where is the space station? We all know that it is floating out there somewhere beyond our atmosphere, its occupants gazing down on earth from a great, great distance. We know that it gets bigger all the time, thanks to trips from the planet. It is the International Space Station, and it truly is an international project. The project was launched, so to speak, in 1998 as a joint project among the United States, Russia, Canada, Japan, and the European Space Agency. It is the biggest space station ever built, and, from its inception, it has continued to be a work in progress. In fact, the Space Station is now the earth’s largest man-made satellite. Throughout the last two decades, many missions have been made from Earth to the orbiting station to deliver pieces of the station, deliver or upgrade hardware, replenish supplies, and ferry astronauts from around the globe to and from their stays on the Space Station.   

Astronauts from 14 countries have visited the International Space Station, including participants from the U.S., Russia, Canada, Japan, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

Various countries also send hardware to the Space Station. For example, the United States, Russia, and Japan have sent equipment and people to the Space Station on NASA’s space shuttles in a series of module installations.

The station is scheduled for completion in 2011, and the participating governments plan to use the station until at least 2015 for continued scientific research.  

Where Is the Space Station?

We know that it is out there and we know that it truly is an international endeavor...but where is the space station? It is not enough to say that it is simply orbiting the earth like so many of our current (and previous) satellites. 

The International Space Station (ISS) zings around the planet at 17,500 miles per hour (about five miles per second), circling the globe every 92 minutes. The height of the orbit varies slightly, putting the Space Station between 218 miles and 221 miles above us.

Despite the speed and distance, the truly curious may be able to steal a glance of the Space Station from their own backyards. You can see the Space Station with the unaided eye, and it can be particularly easy to find in the dusky moments just before dawn and just before sunset.

If you want to track the Space Station, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) web site can show you exactly where the Space Station is flying.  Go to Space Flight Tracking to see a map that plots the current location and recent track of the Space Station. Their sighting page allows you to select your location so you can find specific “flyover” information for your area.

Another site called Heavens Above also tracks the position of the International Space Station. This site also includes information about shuttle deliveries to the Space Station, so you can get an idea about the way the station is growing and changing with each piece of hardware that arrives.

When Can You See the Space Station?

When is the best time to see the Space Station? You obviously need to determine when the ISS is flying over your locale (try using one of the previously-mentioned web sites). In general, you can see the ISS well from dusk to dawn by following its lights. Now that the ISS is getting larger, you can sometimes see it during daylight hours, though the sun must be low in the sky.

You can use a telescope to track the ISS, but it may be difficult because the station moves relatively quickly across the sky. You might find binoculars to be helpful, as they provide enhanced but easily moved viewing.

On a clear evening or early morning, plan to head outdoors and look for the International Space Station. Opportunities for viewing are numerous, and the ISS is easy to find and follow.