International Space Station – What’s New and How to See It

If you’ve ever looked up and wondered what that bright moving dot is, chances are you were seeing the International Space Station (ISS). It’s the biggest human‑made object in orbit and it circles Earth every 90 minutes. Below you’ll find the newest updates, easy tips to catch a sighting, and a quick look at what the crew is doing right now.

How to Spot the ISS in the Night Sky

The ISS is one of the brightest objects you can see without a telescope. It doesn’t blink like a plane; it just glides across the sky in a steady line. To spot it, follow these simple steps:

• Head to a place away from city lights – a park or a backyard works.
• Open a free app like "Heavens‑Above" or "ISS Tracker". They give you exact pass times for your zip code.
• Look for a bright white point moving quickly (about 1,600 km/h). It stays visible for 3‑6 minutes before disappearing.
• Remember, the ISS is invisible during daylight, so check the schedule for night passes.

Tip: The ISS is often visible just after sunset or before sunrise when the sky is still dark but the station is lit by the sun.

What’s Happening on the ISS Right Now

The crew on the ISS changes every few months. As of the latest rotation, there are six astronauts from three different space agencies. Their daily routine includes scientific experiments, maintenance, and exercise to stay healthy in microgravity.

Current research covers a lot of ground: plant growth in space, protein crystal formation for new medicines, and testing new materials that could improve future spacecraft. The results don’t just stay up there – they help us develop better tech for Earth, like water‑purification systems.

Besides experiments, the crew does regular live‑streams. NASA’s "NASA TV" often shows them floating around, doing a quick tour, or even playing a game of ping‑pong in zero‑g. If you want to watch, just go to the NASA website or the official YouTube channel during the scheduled broadcast.

Every few weeks the station receives cargo shipments from SpaceX’s Dragon or Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus. These pods bring food, equipment, and new science kits. In return, the ISS sends down completed experiments and sometimes even used batteries for recycling.

All this activity is tracked on the official ISS website, where you can see the current crew list, upcoming events, and even download high‑resolution photos taken from the Cupola – the station’s glass‑walled observation module.

So whether you’re a space nerd, a student looking for a project idea, or just someone who loves a good night‑sky show, the International Space Station has something for you. Keep an eye on the pass times, follow the live streams, and enjoy watching humanity’s lab float above the world.