Live Tracking the International Space Station: Where is it now?

Spectacular View: "Watching the Space Station pass overhead is almost as awesome as going there yourself"

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The ISS is a modular space station in low Earth orbit. It is a joint project of five participating space agencies: NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe), and CSA (Canada). The ISS serves as a space research laboratory, an Earth observation platform, and a technology testbed for future space exploration missions. Since the first long-duration mission began in 2000, humans have continuously occupied the station for over 20 years.

The ISS is the largest artificial object in orbit and can often be seen with the naked eye from Earth. It is the third brightest object in the night sky, after the Moon and Venus.

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The ISS orbits Earth every 90 minutes, at an average altitude of 250 miles (400 kilometers). The station is constantly moving, so its location in the sky changes throughout the day and night.

Because of its substantial size, see it often with the naked eye from Earth. The best time to spot the ISS is during the early evening or early morning hours, when the sun is below the horizon and the sky is dark. The ISS will appear as a bright, moving object in the sky.

What does the ISS look like?

The ISS is a large, complex structure. It consists of several modules, which have been assembled over time. The station is about the size of a football field and weighs over 400,000 pounds (180,000 kilograms).

The ISS is made up of several different sections, including:

• The Russian segment, which includes the Zarya and Zvezda modules.
• The US segment, which includes the Unity, Destiny, Quest, and Harmony modules.
• The Japanese segment, which includes the Kibo module.
• The European segment, which includes the Columbus module.
• The Canadian segment, which includes the Canadarm2 robotic arm.

The ISS is a constantly evolving project. New modules are added regularly, and the station is constantly being upgraded and improved.

What is the ISS used for?

The ISS is used for a variety of purposes, including:

• Scientific research: The ISS is a unique platform for scientific research. It allows scientists to conduct experiments in a microgravity environment, which is not possible on Earth.
• Earth observation: The ISS is used to observe Earth from space. Scientists use the station's instruments to study the Earth's atmosphere, land, and oceans.
• Technology development: The ISS is used to develop new technologies for space exploration. These technologies include new materials, new ways to generate power, and new ways to recycle water and air.
• Education: The ISS is used to educate students about space exploration. The station hosts a variety of educational programs, and astronauts often give live presentations from the station.
• International cooperation: The ISS is a symbol of international cooperation. It is a joint project of five different space agencies, and it has been visited by astronauts from over 15 different countries.

The ISS is a vital part of the global space exploration effort. It is a hub for scientific research, Earth observation, technology development, education, and international cooperation.