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Sighting Opportunities : Select your location

Select your location.

NASA’s Spot The Station has two ways to help you see the space station in the sky:

Download and use the Spot The Station app to let your phone’s GPS calculate personalized sighting opportunities for you.

Spot the Station app at Apple App Store

Use the Spot The Station website, which calculates sightings for over 6,700 locations worldwide using data from Mission Control at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX.

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The ISS is constructed of many connected modules called “nodes” connecting the station together. The solar arrays are connected to the station with a long truss, which controls the space station’s temperature. The ISS also has robotic arms mounted outside the station.

How far away is the ISS?

The space station orbits Earth at an average altitude of 227 nautical miles/420 kilometers above Earth.

How big is the ISS?

The ISS measures 357 feet or 108 meters from end-to-end, which is about the size of an American football field. The space station has a mass of nearly 1 million pounds. When it comes to living in space, the ISS is larger than a six-bedroom house.

How fast does the ISS travel?

The ISS travels at about 17,500 miles/28,000 kilometers per hour. At this speed, the ISS orbits the Earth every 90 minutes, which gives the crew 16 sunrises and sunsets every day. Since humans have been living and working on the space station, it has orbited Earth tens of thousands of times.

How old is the ISS? How long has it been operational?

Plans for the ISS first began 36 years ago when President Ronald Reagan directed NASA to develop a permanently internationally crewed space station. Over 20 years ago, in 1998, the first modules of the ISS were launched into space. Now in November 2020, the ISS will celebrate 20 years of humankind permanently occupying the space station.

How many countries are involved in the International Space Station?

The partnership of five space agencies representing 15 countries provide for and operate the ISS. These countries include the United States, Russia, Canada, Japan and the participating countries of the European Space Agency.

How was the ISS built?

Astronaut Stephen K. Robinson, STS-114 mission specialist, is anchored to the extended ISS’s Canadarm-2 during a spacewalk to repair the Control moment Gyroscopes.

Constructing the ISS was a joint mission over the course of 13 years by many countries including the United States, Russia, Japan and Europe. Different modules of the ISS were constructed on Earth by thousands of engineers and launched by Russia’s Proton rocket and the United States’ space shuttles.

Fun Fact: Space shuttle Atlantis on display at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex delivered the U.S. laboratory module Destiny along with many other vital components.

Who is on the ISS?

As of mid-October 2020, six astronauts are aboard the ISS. Keep up to date with who is on the station at NASA ISS webpage . Four astronauts are preparing to launch soon on a SpaceX Crew Dragon, including NASA astronauts Michael Hopkins, Victor Glover, Shannon Walker and JAXA astronaut Soichi Noguchi. Learn more about this launch and other upcoming launches on the launch calendar .

How long do astronauts stay on the ISS?

Expedition 42 Flight Engineer Samantha Cristoforetti of the European Space Agency (ESA) prepares her dinner.

The average mission length for an astronaut is six months or 182 days, but the amount of time varies based on their mission.

Who has been on the ISS the longest?

Astronaut Scott Kelly holds the record for the longest single spaceflight at 340 days. For the longest cumulative days in space, astronaut Peggy Whitson holds the record at a total of 665 days.

Fun Fact: Astronaut Scott Kelly is one of the 2020 Astronaut Hall of Fame inductees. Visit the Astronaut Hall of Fame to learn more about this prestigious honor.

How many people have been on the ISS?

A total of 240 astronauts from 19 different countries have been aboard the ISS.

How many people can be on the ISS at one time?

The ISS is designed to support a crew of six people at one time.

What do astronauts do on the ISS?

An astronaut's primary job while on the space station is to conduct scientific experiments and maintain the space station. When not working, astronauts do a lot of the same things we do on Earth. Astronauts also complete a two-hour daily exercise program to remain fit. They eat a variety of foods, although some of it has to be rehydrated. When astronauts are ready to sleep, they stay in special sleep bags secured to the ways of their crew quarters.

Fun Fact: The Space Shuttle Atlantis ® exhibit contains the ISS: Triumph of Technology section that contains real space-flown artifacts from the ISS.

How do astronauts use the restroom on the ISS?

How many spacewalks have been done on the ISS?

In order to maintain and upgrade the ISS, over 227 spacewalks have been completed.

How many experiments have been conducted?

More than 2,800 experiments have been conducted so far.

Fun Fact: Part of one such experiment was conducted here at the visitor complex’s Mars Base 1 botany lab, to learn how microgravity affected the growth of tomatoes.

What research is being done on the ISS?

Over the years, many activities and research projects have been completed. For example, advances have been made in saliva testing to detect active viruses which allows for faster, less-invasive testing. Additionally, over 500 microgravity protein crystal-growth investigations have been conducted. This research helps find better treatments for diseases such as cancer and muscular dystrophy.

How will the ISS help us get to the Moon again?

Distant view of the Moon over Earth limb taken by the Expedition 37 crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS). An ISS solar array is also visible.

The ever-growing body of research that has been conducted on the ISS has given many insights into the needs of future lunar explorers. NASA’s next step for space exploration is to set up a permanent base for humans to live on the Moon – the long duration human spaceflight aboard the ISS has provided many answers on how that will happen. The ISS has led to advances in spacesuit design, experience on spacewalks and the creation of strong meteorite protection.

Still have more questions? Visit Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to explore the story of NASA, from the first rocket launches to the Apollo program to the International Space Station. Learn about the pioneers of space exploration at Heroes & Legends who proved that humans could exist in space, before humankind ever considered living among the stars. Visit Space Shuttle Atlantis ® to see how the Space Shuttle Program brought new modules, supplies and astronauts to the International Space Station.

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Space Station

Station Orbits into Eclipse, Crew Works Research and Spacesuits

The Moon's shadow, or umbra, on Earth was visible from the space station as it orbited into the path of the solar eclipse over southeastern Canada.

The International Space Station soared into the Moon’s shadow during the solar eclipse on Monday afternoon. The Expedition 71 crew members had an opportunity to view the shadow at the end of their workday filled with cargo transfers, spacesuit maintenance, and microgravity research.

The windows on the cupola, the orbital outpost’s “window to the world,” were open and NASA Flight Engineers Matthew Dominick and Jeanette Epps were inside photographing and videotaping the Moon’s shadow on Earth, or umbra, beneath them. They were orbiting 260 miles above southeastern Canada as the Moon’s umbra was moving from New York state into Newfoundland.

The space station experienced a totality of about 90% during its flyover period. Views of the solar eclipse itself, the Moon orbiting directly between the sun and the Earth, were only accessible through a pair of windows in the space station’s Roscosmos segment which may not have been accessible due to cargo constraints.

Before the eclipse activities began on Monday, Dominick worked on orbital plumbing, serviced a pair of science freezers and swapped cargo in and out of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. Dominick then joined NASA astronaut Mike Barratt inspecting spacesuit tethers and organizing spacewalking tools.

Epps installed a small satellite orbital deployer inside the Kibo laboratory module ’s airlock and also participated in the Dragon cargo work. NASA Flight Engineer Tracy C. Dyson assisted Epps with the small satellite installations and cargo transfers. Dyson also reviewed operations with the BioFabrication Facility and prepared research hardware for an upcoming session to print cardiac tissue cell samples.

Station Commander Oleg Kononenko spent Monday on inspection tasks in the aft end of the Zvezda service module and Progress 87 resupply ship. Flight Engineer Nikolai Chub focused his attention on electronics and ventilation maintenance. Chub also spent a few moments assisting Flight Engineer Alexander Grebenkin as he attached sensors to himself measuring his heart activity for a long-running Roscosmos space cardiac investigation. He later turned on an ultrasound device and scanned surfaces inside Zvezda.

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Live in space for up to 30 days aboard the world's first private space station.

Live in space for up to 30 days aboard the world's first private space station..

Targeted to launch no earlier than August 2025 in a SpaceX Dragon vehicle.

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Launch Partnership

SpaceX’s Falcon 9 will launch both the Haven-1 (space station) and Vast-1 (human spaceflight) missions

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Introducing  Haven-1

Our first space station.

Designed, manufactured, and operated by Vast

Launching no earlier than August 2025 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket

Expected to be the world's first commercial crewed space station

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Our first expedition to haven-1

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IN THE PRESS

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Vast’s simple, single-structure Haven-1 space station will be able to launch atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, the workhorse vehicle that SpaceX has been launching for more than a decade."

...it would mark the first time a commercial rocket company had launched humans to a commercial space station, another milestone in the privatization of space."

-Washington Post

The partnership with SpaceX is the key to making this mission happen."

-ARS Technica

It's entirely possible that [Haven-1] moves and executes faster because it's so much more simple in scope...”

-Scott Manley

Recent updates.

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Vast’s Haven-1 to be World’s First Commercial Space Station Connected by SpaceX Starlink

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Space Executive Clay Mowry Joins Vast as Advisor

Our facilities.

Vast's HQ is located in a two building campus in Long Beach, CA, featuring 115,000 square feet of offices, manufacturing, and integration facilities. Haven-1 is being designed and will be manufactured, integrated, and operated from this campus. Vast also operates a 25,000 square feet state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Hawthorne, CA, and a test facility at the Mojave Air and Space Port.

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Join the only space station company fully funded to design, manufacture, launch, and visit the world's first commercial space station.

International Space Station views the eclipse

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NASA at Home: Virtual Tours and Apps

NASA is exploring our solar system and beyond, uncovering worlds, stars, and cosmic mysteries near and far with our powerful fleet of space and ground-based missions. 

Explore our facilities. View our laboratories. Enter our operations control centers.

We invite you to tour NASA  virtually  from the comfort of your home or convenience of your mobile device.

RS-25 Rocket Engine Testing : NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi conducted a  series of RS-25 rocket engine hot fire tests for NASA’s Space Launch System,  which is being built for missions beyond low-Earth orbit that will carry crew and cargo to the Moon and destinations beyond.

Commercial Crew Program 360-Degree Virtual Reality Tour : NASA’s Commercial Crew Program works with commercial partners to  launch astronauts to the International Space Station from U.S. soil on American-built rockets and spacecraft . These immersive videos share the story of groundbreaking innovation borne of this government-industry partnership.

International Space Station Tour : The International Space Station is a unique  scientific platform where astronauts conduct experiments across multiple disciplines of research  – including Earth and space science, biology, human physiology, physical sciences, and technology demonstrations – that cannot be performed anywhere on Earth. In 2020, the station celebrated 20 years of a continuous human presence aboard the orbiting laboratory.

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Explore Goddard’s Clean Room : James Webb Space Telescope’s Communications Lead Laura Betz takes us  behind the scenes inside the world’s largest clean room  at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. Explore  where the Hubble Space Telescope was built and where its successor – the James Webb Space Telescope – was assembled . See the special gowning process engineers go through on a daily basis to enter this super clean environment. This tour gives you a 360-degree look from the unique filter wall to the storage of Webb’s 18 gold-plated mirrors. Check out Goddard’s Space Environment Simulator, a massive thermal vacuum chamber in which scientists and engineers cryotested the heart of the telescope, ISIM, by lowering the temperature of the structure to 42 Kelvin (-384.1 Fahrenheit or -231.1 Celsius) and below to ensure that it can withstand the frigid temperatures Webb will face 1 million miles out in space.

Robotic Operations Center (ROC) : This 360-degree  view  of Goddard’s Robotic Operations Center (ROC) shows off its  unique hexapod robot, which helps engineers simulate the way a satellite moves in space.  Drag the photo to explore the rest of the state-of-the-art facility. The ROC acts as an incubator for satellite servicing technologies that will allow for the repair, refueling, and upgrading of spacecraft. In this lab, robotic capabilities are tested in spacelike conditions before they are put to action in orbit.

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Planets of Other Stars

NASA’s Exoplanet Excursions : A  guided journey through the amazing TRAPPIST-1 star system,  known to be the  home of seven Earth-size exoplanets orbiting a star  that is only a little larger than Jupiter. This also includes tours of the Spitzer Space Telescope and the ability to control the telescope yourself.

Exoplanet Travel Bureau : Explore 360-degree  visualizations of the surfaces of planets of other stars  (and download free posters!). This works on desktops and mobile devices, and it is optimized for such viewers as Google Cardboard.

NASA Centers (with virtual tours)

NASA’s Ames Research Center Virtual Tour : NASA’s Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley, California, has led NASA in conducting world-class research and development in aeronautics, exploration technology, and science aligned with the center’s core capabilities.

NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center Virtual Tours : NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in Edwards, California, is NASA’s primary center for high-risk, atmospheric flight research and test projects. For almost 75 years, research at Armstrong has led to major advancements and breakthroughs in the design and capabilities of many state-of-the-art civil and military aircraft.

NASA’s Glenn Research Center Virtual Tours : NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland designs and develops innovative technology to advance NASA’s missions in aeronautics and space exploration. 

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory Virtual Tour : NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, is humanity’s leading center for exploring where humans cannot yet reach. Its spacecraft have flown to every planet and the Sun in a quest to understand our place in the universe, and to search for the possibility of life beyond Earth. 

NASA’s Johnson Space Center Virtual Tour : NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston is home to mission control and astronaut training. It also leads International Space Station operations and expeditions, development of the Orion spacecraft, NASA’s Gateway outpost program, and numerous other advanced human exploration projects.

NASA’s Langley Research Center Virtual Tours : NASA’s Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, works to make revolutionary improvements to aviation, expand understanding of Earth’s atmosphere and develop technology for space exploration. It was also where NASA mathematician Katherine Johnson worked. 

Featured Apps

NASA selfie app :  Put your photo in a virtual spacesuit  in front of some of NASA’s most captivating space images. Access the  NASA Selfie app for iOS  or the  NASA Selfie app for Google .

NASA app : This app offers  news and multimedia from around the agency ; other applications focus on individual NASA projects or research areas.

Aircraft and Aeronautics

Aeronautics augmented reality app : Learn about NASA’s  X-57 Maxwell, X-59 QueSST, and G-III Gulfstream aircraft  through an app that brings them onto your mobile phone.

“Next Stop: The Stratosphere” : Explore SOFIA, NASA’s flying observatory, a  Boeing 747SP aircraft modified to carry a 106-inch telescope.  Scientists aboard SOFIA study stars, black holes, and more while flying between 38,000 and 45,000 feet.

Spacecraft augmented reality app : Learn about and  interact with a variety of spacecraft  that explore our solar system, study Earth, and observe the universe.

Browse more  NASA apps  and apps created by  NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory .

We encourage you to visit these sites for additional activities and resources:

NASA’s Artemis Program ,  NASA’s STEM Engagement , and  NASA Kids’ Club

If you are interested in having a NASA speaker give a virtual presentation to your class or organization, visit the  Speakers Bureau website  and submit a request form.

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See the Total Solar Eclipse’s Shadow From Space

Satellite images from NASA and NOAA showed the moon’s shadow moving across North America.

By K.K. Rebecca Lai and William B. Davis

PATH OF TOTALITY

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2024 solar eclipse map: Where to see the eclipse on April 8

These 2024 solar eclipse maps will help you make the best decision about where and how to watch the total solar eclipse on Monday (April 8).

map of north america showing the path of the april 8 solar eclipse

It's finally here: Today, (April 8) a total solar eclipse will pass across the skies North America, giving more than 33 million people living in 15 U.S. states a rare view of the totally-obstructed sun, and — weather permitting — a taste of some seriously strange eclipse phenomena .

If you’re wondering where the total and partial phases of the eclipse will be visible, the good news is that almost everyone in the contiguous U.S. will be able to see the celestial spectacle to some extent. But for a more detailed view of the eclipse’s path, take a look at these handy eclipse maps, courtesy of GreatAmericanEclipse.com. 

Solar eclipse 2024 path of totality map

Map of path of totality across North America of solar eclipse, tilted to show its full path over mexico and canada

Totality is the moment that every eclipse-chaser lives for: The moment when the moon completely covers the sun’s face, resulting in a brief but eerie darkness in the daytime. The path of totality , shown in the map above, is the path of the moon’s shadow across Earth’s surface. 

On Monday (April 8), totality will begin in Sinaloa, Mexico, then move northeast up to Texas, ultimately crossing 15 states before moving on to Canada. The states where totality will be visible are: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine — although Tennessee and Michigan will only be glanced by the moon's shadow.

Related: April 8 solar eclipse: What time does totality start in every state?

Viewers MUST be within the path of totality to witness the total phase of the eclipse; if you are off the path by even a mile, you will only see a partial eclipse, and miss out on the spooky daytime darkness. Furthermore, the closer you are to the center of the path of totality, the longer totality will last for you — up to a maximum duration of 4 minutes, 27 seconds in Torreón, Mexico.

Note: Totality is the ONLY TIME when it is safe to view the sun without protective eyewear like certified solar eclipse glasses . You must protect your eyes during the entire partial phase of the eclipse, no matter where you are.

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Solar eclipse 2024 partial eclipse map

A map of total and partial eclipse coverage across North America on April 8, 2024.

If you live in the U.S. and can’t make it to the path of totality, a partial eclipse still awaits you on April 8. The entire contiguous U.S. will have some view of the partial eclipse, ranging from 99% coverage of the sun just off the path of totality to about 15% coverage far to the northwest of the path.

The map above shows how much of the sun’s disk will be blocked from your location. Watching the partial phases of the eclipse — which last about an hour and 20 minutes before and after totality — means wearing protective eyewear at all times. Failure to do so could result in permanent eye damage, according to NASA .

If you want to experience the celestial spectacle but don’t have a pair of eclipse glasses handy, there are many other ways to safely enjoy the partial eclipse . These include making a homemade pinhole projector , using a pasta strainer to project the shadow of the moon onto the ground or watching one of the various eclipse live streams available.

2024 eclipse travel maps

A travel map showing driving distances to the path of totality on April 8, 2024

If you want to see totality but don’t live within the path, driving or taking public transit to a city within the path may be possible. The map above shows how far the drive is to the path of totality, based on where you’re coming from. Meanwhile, the map below shows the most populated cities within the path of totality — many of which are expected to be flooded with millions of eclipse tourists on April 8.

The biggest cities within the path of totality include: San Antonio, Dallas, Austin and Fort Worth in Texas; Indianapolis, Indiana; Hamilton and Montreal in Canada; and Torreón and Mazatlan in Mexico.

A map showing the 10 biggest cities on the path of the April 8, 2024 eclipse

Wherever you are on April 8, we wish you clear skies and protected eyes during this rare, wondrous eclipse over North America.

Brandon Specktor

Brandon is the space/physics editor at Live Science. His writing has appeared in The Washington Post, Reader's Digest, CBS.com, the Richard Dawkins Foundation website and other outlets. He holds a bachelor's degree in creative writing from the University of Arizona, with minors in journalism and media arts. He enjoys writing most about space, geoscience and the mysteries of the universe.

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No chimney? No problem! How Santa will visit astronauts on the International Space Station (video)

Down through the airlock with lots of toys, all for the astronauts' Christmas joys.

When every docking port of a space station is full, how will Santa come in?

The Expedition 68 crew expects the merry elf to come through one of the airlocks of the International Space Station and will stash their stockings there, four astronauts shared in a video from space .

"Unfortunately this year, all the docking ports are taken, so we're expecting that Santa will likely come through the airlock," NASA astronaut Josh Cassada said in the YouTube video . 

He didn't specify which airlock Santa will use, but presumably he is referring to the Quest airlock in the U.S. segment. Generally speaking, Santa prefers to enter through the Harmony module's zenith or space-facing port nearby there, Cassada noted, but there's a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft in that slot right now.

Related: International Space Station at 20: A Photo Tour

NASA astronaut Josh Cassada appears upside-down in this photo during a spacewalk on Dec. 22, 2022.

While waiting for Santa, the crew has the usual holiday feast planned in space. NASA astronaut Nicole Mann tossed the prepackaged meals to her crewmates: spicy green beans for Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata, duck comfit for Frank Rubio, and broccoli for Cassada. Mann also showed off bread and cranberry sauce.

"One thing that I absolutely love about the holidays that I will miss up here is getting together with friends and family in the kitchen, and cooking a huge feast," Mann said. "It's a little chaotic. It's loud. Everybody's laughing and having fun, and you have great smells of cooking."

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Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata gazes out the Cupola window with the Earth below.

On New Year's Day, Wakata said, he plans to take a picture of the first sunrise of 2023. Pointing at a circular window behind him in the Japanese Kibo module, he said it would be "from this window over here."

The festive season comes after a very busy few days at the space station. Cassada and Rubio installed a new ISS Roll-Out Solar Array (iROSA) to augment the station's power supply, during a seven-hour spacewalk yesterday (Dec. 22). That spacewalk was delayed from Wednesday (Dec. 21) due to Russian orbital debris veering near the station.

Meanwhile, the Russian side of the space station is grappling with a Soyuz that lost its coolant dramatically last week. Roscosmos and NASA are continuing to evaluate options, which could mean bringing a new, empty Soyuz up in a few weeks to serve as a lifeboat for the three astronauts and cosmonauts who will need a ride home.

Elizabeth Howell is the co-author of " Why Am I Taller ?" (ECW Press, 2022; with Canadian astronaut Dave Williams), a book about space medicine. Follow her on Twitter  @howellspace . Follow us on Twitter  @Spacedotcom or  Facebook .

Join our Space Forums to keep talking space on the latest missions, night sky and more! And if you have a news tip, correction or comment, let us know at: [email protected].

Elizabeth Howell

Elizabeth Howell (she/her), Ph.D., is a staff writer in the spaceflight channel since 2022 covering diversity, education and gaming as well. She was contributing writer for Space.com for 10 years before joining full-time. Elizabeth's reporting includes multiple exclusives with the White House and Office of the Vice-President of the United States, an exclusive conversation with aspiring space tourist (and NSYNC bassist) Lance Bass, speaking several times with the International Space Station, witnessing five human spaceflight launches on two continents, flying parabolic, working inside a spacesuit, and participating in a simulated Mars mission. Her latest book, " Why Am I Taller ?", is co-written with astronaut Dave Williams. Elizabeth holds a Ph.D. and M.Sc. in Space Studies from the University of North Dakota, a Bachelor of Journalism from Canada's Carleton University and a Bachelor of History from Canada's Athabasca University. Elizabeth is also a post-secondary instructor in communications and science at several institutions since 2015; her experience includes developing and teaching an astronomy course at Canada's Algonquin College (with Indigenous content as well) to more than 1,000 students since 2020. Elizabeth first got interested in space after watching the movie Apollo 13 in 1996, and still wants to be an astronaut someday. Mastodon: https://qoto.org/@howellspace

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Alien: Romulus

Alien: Romulus (2024)

While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe. While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe. While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.

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SpaceX targeting early Wednesday morning for next Starlink launch from Cape Canaveral

For FLORIDA TODAY Space Team live coverage and updates, visit floridatoday.com/space starting about 90 minutes before liftoff.

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SpaceX is targeting an early-morning launch window for its next Falcon 9 rocket launch that will expire at 4:31 a.m. Wednesday, a Federal Aviation Administration operations plan advisory shows.

This Starlink 6-48 mission launch window will open at midnight Tuesday, per the FAA. However, SpaceX has yet to publicly confirm this mission's existence or announce a target liftoff time.

The Falcon 9 will send up the latest batch of Starlink broadband satellites into low-Earth orbit from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

After hurtling into space on a southeasterly trajectory, the Falcon 9's first-stage booster will target landing atop a SpaceX drone ship near the Bahamas. So, no Central Florida sonic booms are expected.

Cape Canaveral: Is there a launch today? Upcoming rocket launch schedule for SpaceX, ULA, NASA in Florida

Wednesday's SpaceX early morning mission follows the company's Sunday night launch of the Bandwagon-1 "rideshare" mission that lifted an array 11 spacecraft into orbit.

Rick Neale  is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY (for more of his stories,  click here .) Contact Neale at [email protected] . Twitter/X:  @RickNeale1

Space is important to us and that's why we're working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here.

IMAGES

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  2. International Space Station (ISS)

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  3. International Space Station NASA Live View With Map

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  4. Guide to Visiting Space Center Houston, Texas

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  5. ESA

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  6. China to livestream first space class from Tiangong space station

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COMMENTS

  1. International Space Station

    About the International Space Station. The station was designed between 1984 and 1993. Elements of the station were in construction throughout the US, Canada, Japan, and Europe beginning in the late 1980s. The International Space Station Program brings together international flight crews, multiple launch vehicles, globally distributed launch ...

  2. Spot The Station

    Watch the International Space Station pass overhead! It is the third brightest object in the sky and easy to spot if you know when to look up. NASA's Spot the Station mobile application and website make knowing when to see it easy. Visible to the naked eye, the space station looks like a fast-moving plane, only flies much higher, and travels ...

  3. Visitor Information

    VR simulators: Our virtual reality experience guides you on a spacewalk experience aboard the International Space Station.Experience the view from low-earth orbit. Motion simulators: Our simulator rides use a powerful hydraulic and theater system to mimic the feel of space travel! Simulators cost between $8 and $10 per person, when available and on a first-come, first-served basis.

  4. International Space Station

    The International Space Station is 356 feet (109 meters) end-to-end with a mass of 925,335 pounds (419,725 kilograms) without visiting vehicles. The solar panels alone cover one acre. There is ...

  5. ISS sightings over your city

    Download and use the Spot The Station app to let your phone's GPS calculate personalized sighting opportunities for you. Use the Spot The Station website, which calculates sightings for over 6,700 locations worldwide using data from Mission Control at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston, TX. Enter your location and find out when the ISS ...

  6. International Space Station

    The International Space Station (ISS) is a large space station assembled and maintained in low Earth orbit by a collaboration of five space agencies: NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe), CSA (Canada), and their contractors. ISS is the largest space station ever built. Its primary purpose is performing microgravity and space environment experiments.

  7. Track the ISS: How and where to see it

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  8. Live Video from the International Space Station (Official ...

    Watch live video from the International Space Station, including inside views when the crew aboard the space station is on duty. Views of Earth are also stre...

  9. Visit Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex at Cape Canaveral

    Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is operated for NASA by Delaware North and is entirely visitor-funded. Images shown may not represent current operational and safety guidelines. OPEN: 9 AM to 6 PM. Call Us 1.855.433.4210. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953

  10. The Payload Blog

    Visit Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to explore the story of NASA, from the first rocket launches to the Apollo program to the International Space Station. Learn about the pioneers of space exploration at Heroes & Legends who proved that humans could exist in space, before humankind ever considered living among the stars.

  11. Space station

    A space station is a spacecraft capable of supporting a human crew in orbit for an extended period of time and is therefore a type of space habitat. ... Soyuz flight T-15 in March to July 1986 was the first and as of 2016, only spacecraft to visit two different space stations, Mir and Salyut 7.

  12. International Space Station (ISS)

    International Space Station (ISS), space station assembled in low Earth orbit largely by the United States and Russia, with assistance and components from a multinational consortium. The project, which began as an American effort, was long delayed by funding and technical problems. Originally called Freedom in the 1980s by U.S. Pres. Ronald Reagan, who authorized the National Aeronautics and ...

  13. International Space Station Facts and Figures

    More than 50 computers control the systems on the space station. More than 3 million lines of software code on the ground support more than 1.5 million lines of flight software code. In the International Space Station's U.S. segment alone, more than 1.5 million lines of flight software code run on 44 computers communicating via 100 data ...

  14. ISS

    NASA Astronaut Sunita (Suni) Williams gives us the best inside tour of the International Space Station (ISS). How do astronauts live on the ISS? How do they ...

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    Did you know some astronauts live in space for months at a time? Join Jessi and Squeaks for a tour of the International Space Station and learn what life is ...

  16. Station Orbits into Eclipse, Crew Works Research and Spacesuits

    The space station experienced a totality of about 90% during its flyover period. Views of the solar eclipse itself, the Moon orbiting directly between the sun and the Earth, were only accessible through a pair of windows in the space station's Roscosmos segment which may not have been accessible due to cargo constraints.

  17. This VR experience lets you explore the International Space Station

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  18. VAST

    Fly to Haven-1 in a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft launched by the Falcon 9 rocket. Designed for space agencies and private individuals alike. Fly four crew members to Haven-1 for up to 30 days. Be the first crew to visit the world's first commercial space station. Available per seat or as a full, four-person crew mission.

  19. Video International Space Station views the eclipse

    International Space Station views the eclipse The International Space Station shares an out-of-this-world view of the celestial event. ABC News' Gio Benitez reports. April 8, 2024.

  20. NASA at Home: Virtual Tours and Apps

    Commercial Crew Program 360-Degree Virtual Reality Tour : NASA's Commercial Crew Program works with commercial partners to launch astronauts to the International Space Station from U.S. soil on American-built rockets and spacecraft. These immersive videos share the story of groundbreaking innovation borne of this government-industry partnership.

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  22. 2024 solar eclipse map: Where to see the eclipse on April 8

    2024 eclipse travel maps. A travel map showing driving distances to the path of totality on April 8, ... He enjoys writing most about space, geoscience and the mysteries of the universe.

  23. How Santa will visit astronauts on the International Space Station

    The festive season comes after a very busy few days at the space station. Cassada and Rubio installed a new ISS Roll-Out Solar Array (iROSA) to augment the station's power supply, during a seven ...

  24. Alien: Romulus (2024)

    Alien: Romulus: Directed by Fede Alvarez. With Isabela Merced, Cailee Spaeny, Archie Renaux, David Jonsson. While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.

  25. Total solar eclipse 2024 highlights: Live coverage, videos and more

    BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — William Shatner, the oldest person to ever visit space, will be on stage narrating the moments leading to totality at Indiana University this afternoon.

  26. SpaceX targeting early Wednesday morning for next Starlink launch

    The Falcon 9 will send up a batch of Starlink broadband satellites into low-Earth orbit from Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.