Track ISS Location & Crew Schedule

This guide shows you how to follow the International Space Station (ISS) in real time and keep up with its crew’s activities. You’ll learn which official tools to use, how to read the data, and how to set up alerts so you never miss a pass overhead or a spacewalk.

What You’ll Need

• A computer, smartphone, or tablet with internet access.
• A web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) or the ability to install apps from official app stores.
• Your approximate location (city or coordinates) for sighting predictions.
• Optional: a clear view of the sky if you plan to watch the ISS pass.

Step-by-Step

Part 1: Tracking the ISS Location

1. Open the official NASA tracking page. Go to spotthestation.nasa.gov or the NASA “Live ISS Trackerâ€� at iss.nasa.gov. These are the most reliable sources for current position data.
2. Find the live map. On the page, you’ll see a world map with a small icon (often a stylized ISS) moving along a curved line. That line represents the current orbit. The map updates every few seconds.
3. Read the coordinates. Look for latitude and longitude numbers (e.g., 45.2° N, 120.3° W). These tell you exactly where the station is over Earth’s surface.
4. Check altitude and speed. Most trackers display the current altitude (around 400 km / 250 miles) and orbital speed (about 27,600 km/h / 17,150 mph). These values are useful for understanding the orbit.
5. Use a third-party tracker for more detail. Websites like heavens-above.com or n2yo.com offer additional features: you can enter your location and get pass times, brightness, and even a 3D view of the orbit.
6. Set up a mobile app for on-the-go tracking. Install the official “NASA� app (iOS/Android) or a reputable tracker like “ISS Detector� (Android) or “Sky Guide� (iOS). These apps send notifications when the ISS is about to fly over your area.
7. Get sighting opportunities for your location. On Spot the Station, select your country and city (or enter coordinates). The site will list upcoming visible passes—times when the ISS is visible from your spot, usually a few minutes before dawn or after dusk.
8. Watch a live video feed. NASA TV and the ISS live stream (available on YouTube and the NASA app) show the view from cameras on the station. This is a great way to “seeâ€� where it is in real time, even if you can’t go outside.

Part 2: Tracking the Crew Schedule

1. Visit the NASA Crew page. Go to nasa.gov and search for “ISS Expedition Crew.â€� This page lists the current crew members, their roles, and links to their biographies.
2. Check the daily schedule. NASA publishes a “ISS Daily Summaryâ€� or “ISS On-Orbit Status Reportâ€� on its website. These reports list what the crew did that day (experiments, maintenance, exercise, etc.). Search for “ISS Daily Summaryâ€� on NASA’s site.
3. Use the Crew Earth Observations (CEO) app. NASA’s CEO app (available for iOS/Android) shows when the crew will be taking photos of Earth, which often correlates with their free time or specific science tasks.
4. Follow social media. The official @Space_Station account on X (formerly Twitter) and the NASA ISS Facebook page post updates about crew activities, spacewalks, and cargo missions. They also announce when a new crew launches or returns.
5. Watch for spacewalks. Spacewalks (EVA) are major events. NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) announce them in advance. Check the NASA TV schedule for live coverage. The crew schedule will be disrupted during these events, so be prepared for changes.
6. Use the ISS Fan Club or similar sites. Websites like issfanclub.com aggregate crew schedules and even show which astronaut is on duty at a given time. While not official, they compile data from NASA and other space agencies.

Common Mistakes

• Using outdated trackers. The ISS orbit shifts slightly over time. Always use a live tracker that updates in real time, not a static map.
• Confusing “visible passâ€� with “overhead.â€� The ISS is visible only when it reflects sunlight. That means you’ll see it just before sunrise or after sunset, even if it passes directly overhead at noon.
• Ignoring time zones. Sighting times are usually given in local time, but some sites list UTC. Double-check the time zone before heading outside.
• Thinking the crew schedule is public in real time. The detailed minute-by-minute schedule is not public. What you see is a summary, often released after the fact or as a general plan.
• Forgetting that the crew changes. Crews rotate every few months. Always check the current expedition number and crew list, not an old article.

Tips

• Sign up for email alerts. Spot the Station allows you to subscribe to email notifications for your chosen location. You’ll get a heads-up a day before a visible pass.
• Use the “ISS Detectorâ€� app’s calendar. It can sync with your phone’s calendar, so you get reminders for passes.
• Learn to read the pass data. A typical pass shows a start time, maximum elevation (how high above the horizon), and direction (e.g., W to E). Higher elevation means a better view.
• Follow the crew on social media. Astronauts often post about their daily life. This gives you a personal perspective on the schedule.
• Check the NASA TV schedule. It lists live events like spacewalks, cargo arrivals, and crew Q&As. These are often the most interesting parts of the schedule.

Troubleshooting

• The tracker shows no position. If the map is blank, refresh the page or try a different browser. If it persists, the site may be temporarily down—try an alternative like n2yo.com.
• Sighting times are wrong. Make sure you’ve entered your location correctly. If you’re in a small town, it may not be in the database—use the nearest large city or enter coordinates.
• The app says “no passesâ€� for your area. This can happen if the ISS orbit doesn’t come within your visibility range for a few days. Wait a day or two and check again, or expand your search radius if the app allows it.
• You can’t find the crew schedule. NASA’s website is huge. Try searching for “ISS Expedition [current number]â€� or “ISS Daily Summaryâ€� directly. If you still can’t find it, check the ESA or Roscosmos sites—they also share crew info.
• The live video feed is black. This is normal when the station is on the night side of Earth. The feed will come back when it’s in sunlight.
• You see a moving light but it’s not the ISS. It could be a satellite or a plane. The ISS is very bright and moves steadily across the sky. Use an app like “Sky Mapâ€� to confirm what you’re seeing.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often does the ISS orbit Earth?

About every 90 minutes. That means it sees a sunrise or sunset every 45 minutes.

Can I see the ISS with the naked eye?

Yes, it’s one of the brightest objects in the night sky. It looks like a fast-moving star, but without flashing lights.

How many people are on the ISS right now?

Typically 6-7, but it varies. Check the NASA website for the current crew count.

Do the astronauts have a fixed work schedule?

Yes, they work roughly 8.5 hours a day, six days a week, with Sundays off. But the schedule is flexible and can change due to unexpected events.

How do I know when a spacewalk is happening?

NASA announces spacewalks weeks in advance. You can find the schedule on the NASA TV page or follow @Space_Station on X.

Can I track the ISS without a smartphone?

Absolutely. The NASA website works on any computer with a browser. You can also subscribe to email alerts from Spot the Station.

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