international space station tour

International Space Station panoramic tour

Node-3 Tranquillity provides life-support for the International Space Station. Part of Tranquility is ESA's Cupola observation module, a seven-window dome-shaped structure from where the Space Station's robotic arm, Canadarm 2, is operated as it offers a panoramic view of space and Earth. Launched on Space Shuttle flight STS-130 in February 2010, Node-3 was attached to the port side of Node-1 Unity. Read more on ESA's Node-3 minisite.

Explore Tranquility in Flickr , Facebook or Youtube  format with your mobile phone and virtual-reality headset, or take the full tour including all Space Station modules with videos and extra information below. We will release a new Space Station module in 360° every week on Thursday.

Previous releases:

• Explore Zvezda module via  Flickr ,  Facebook  or  Youtube .
• Explore Zarya module via  Flickr , Facebook or Youtube .
• Explore Unity module via  Flickr ,  Facebook  or  Youtube .
• Explore Destiny  module via  Flickr ,  Facebook  or  Youtube .
• Explore Harmony  module via  Flickr ,  Facebook  or  Youtube . 
• Explore Columbus module via  Flickr ,  Facebook  or  Youtube .
• Explore Kibo in  Flickr ,  Facebook  or  Youtube .

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Just before ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti left the International Space Station after 199 days, she took up to 15 pictures inside each module. Now, the images have been stitched together to create this interactive panorama.

These panoramas offer a snapshot of the International Space Station as it was in June 2015, after moving the Leonardo storage module to a new location

Explore the modules and zoom in to see more detail. Use the map or the arrow icons by the module hatches to go to another section.

You can explore every part of the Space Station and click on the play icons to watch an astronaut explain or demonstrate an item, and click on the text icons for web articles.

We recommend exploring in a full screen to do justice to this immersive interactive panorama.

The tour was improved with the assistance of Thomas Rauscher in Vienna, Austria, who helped to stitch the images together for some modules.

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Take a Virtual Tour of the International Space Station (Video)

Here's your chance to see what the inside of the ISS is actually like.

Not everyone will get the chance to explore space, but this virtual tour of the International Space Station (ISS) comes pretty close.

Google Arts & Culture is a treasure trove for the history, art, and science lover. This platform has been around for a few years, but since the coronavirus outbreak started it has become a must-see for anyone who wants to enrich themselves during lockdown.

Virtual tours of museums, national parks, and popular tourist attractions have certainly been excellent ways to educate and entertain yourself at home, but there’s another collection of online tours and exhibits that space and science lovers should definitely see — including a 360-degree tour of the ISS .

This virtual tour uses Google Street View to explore the space station as if you’re really inside it. Move through the narrow tunnels, see the massive amounts of equipment, and generally experience what it’s like to be a real astronaut.

In addition, there are lots of other ways to explore space on Google Arts & Culture. One fascinating online exhibit is dedicated to the moon landing (which is coming up on its 51st anniversary this year). Take a deeper dive into the Apollo space program by exploring the hundreds of photos from the Apollo 11 mission, as well as stories on the Columbia Memorial Space Center and the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project.

Google Arts & Culture also has an amazing fact sheet that details 10 “out-of-this-world” facts about the International Space Station (ISS), which is perfect to help kids supplement their online learning experience while most schools are closed. Plus, there is a collection of eight truly stunning photographs from space that will make you appreciate our little blue planet even more.

There are also dozens of specific online exhibits to choose from, such as an exhibit focused on women in space, an exploration of aviation history, and a collection of videos that are all about space exploration.

For more information, take the virtual tour, or see an online space exhibit, visit the Space Exploration page on Google Arts & Culture.

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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?

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?

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?

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.

Recent Posts

International Space Station

The International Space Station’s role as a scientific laboratory and test bed for deep-space technology is crucial to humanity’s ability to improve life on Earth while pursuing opportunities in space.

Laboratory, Proving Ground, Home

The International Space Station (ISS) is a permanently crewed on-orbit laboratory that enables scientific research supporting innovation on Earth and future deep space exploration. From design to launch, 15 countries collaborated to assemble the world's only permanently crewed orbital facility, which can support up to seven astronauts and 300 to 400 experiments per crew increment, across an array of disciplines. The ISS is the cornerstone of human activity in low Earth orbit, a cooperative global effort to expand our knowledge and improve life on Earth while testing technology that will build a LEO economy and extend our reach to the moon, Mars and beyond.

Boeing officially turned over the U.S. on-orbit segment of the ISS to NASA in 2010 and continues to provide key engineering support services and continual capability enhancements, as well as processing for laboratory experiment racks. Due to its modular systems and the limited degradation of the space environment, technical assessments have shown the station could safely operate beyond 2030 if NASA and its international partners choose to do so.

Feature Stories

Commercial opportunities in low earth orbit.

ISS is hitting its stride as an incubator and business model in the commercial space ecosystem. Among the entities benefiting from ISS access is the Boeing-founded Genes in Space, a STEM contest that challenges students to design DNA analysis experiments for the ISS National Lab (managed by the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space, or CASIS). Winners’ experiments are launched to ISS to be performed by astronauts, with published results.

Genes in Space 2019 winners Finsam Samson and Yujie Wang designed an experiment to analyze the impact of microgravity on gene expression. Their work may enable medical interventions for astronauts while in space, and therapies for people with stress-related health conditions on Earth.

Boeing also partners with the ISS U.S. National Lab on the MassChallenge startup accelerator’s “Technology in Space” competition. Winning companies receive funding and the opportunity to have their research conducted on the station so they can advance them to market. Qlibrium of Boston had its patch-sized, wearable drug-delivery pump launched to ISS in 2020. The technology holds promise for improved medicine delivery on Earth and on voyages through deep space.

Expanding science and technology development in low Earth orbit means expanding access. Boeing collaborated with Nanoracks on the payload services provider’s Bishop Airlock on ISS. It will open the station to more commercial users and research.

Benefits for Deep Space Exploration

The United States’ goal of sustained human exploration of deep space relies on advanced technologies such as surface habitats.

Boeing’s deep-space surface habitat concept builds on the company’s experience from designing, building and operating the ISS for more than 20 years, including recent advances such as superefficient lithium-ion batteries and roll-out solar arrays. Boeing is working on a habitation module and an airlock module that doubles as additional living/work space.

The ISS also gives researchers a unique environment to investigate the physiological and psychological effects of long-duration spaceflight, and to test deep-space technologies, in preparation for crewed missions to the Moon and Mars.

Boeing Surface Habitat Demonstrator - Exterior

Boeing Surface Habitat Demonstrator – Habitation Module

Boeing Surface Habitat Demonstrator – Research Area

Sustainability Is Built In

The International Space Station has inspired sustainability efforts here on Earth. From the station's smaller, more efficient solar arrays to its global humanitarian applications, see how discoveries on orbit help us innovate for a better tomorrow

ISS Video Tour

This NASA fly-through of the International Space Station uses a fisheye lens for extreme focus and depth of field. It’s narrated by Boeing Mission Evaluation Room Manager Jennifer Hammond.

International Space Station Gallery

International Space Station Technical Specifications

The nations of the international space station.

NASA selected Boeing as prime contractor for the International Space Station on Aug. 17, 1993, and the original cost-plus-award-fee contract began on Jan. 13, 1995. Boeing is responsible for maintaining the station at peak performance levels so the full value of the unique research laboratory is available to NASA, its international partners, other U.S. government agencies and private companies.

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United Kingdom

United States

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Watch 2 cosmonauts conduct spacewalk outside the ISS today

The seven-hour excursion is scheduled to begin around 10:55 a.m. ET.

Two Russian cosmonauts will perform a spacewalk outside the International Space Station (ISS) today (April 25), and you can watch the action live.

Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub are scheduled to venture into the void at around 10:55 a.m. EDT today, then "spend about seven hours configuring hardware and installing experiments on the Roscosmos segment of the space station," NASA officials said in an update on Wednesday (April 24). ( Roscosmos is Russia's space agency.)

You can watch it live here, courtesy of NASA; coverage will begin at 10:30 a.m. EDT (1430 GMT).

Related: International Space Station: Everything you need to know about the orbital laboratory

Today's excursion will be the second spacewalk for Chub and the seventh for Kononenko. The duo conducted an extravehicular activity together in October 2023, during which they inspected a leaky radiator on the outside of Russia's Nauka module.

Chub and Konenko launched to the ISS together back in September 2023, on a Soyuz spacecraft that also carried NASA astronaut Loral O'Hara. The liftoff kicked off the first spaceflight for Chub and O'Hara and the fifth for Kononenko.

Kononenko isn't just an off-Earth veteran; he's a record-breaker. The cosmonaut has spent more total time in space than anyone in history — 957 days as of today. 

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— Cosmonauts on ISS spacewalk encounter coolant 'blob' while inspecting leaky radiator

—  Spacewalks: How they work and major milestones

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Today is shaping up to be a busy day in human spaceflight. China plans to launch the Shenzhou 18 astronaut mission to its Tiangong space station at 8:59 a.m. EDT (1259 GMT), for example. 

And NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore are scheduled to arrive at Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida today ahead of their planned May 6 launch to the ISS on the first-ever crewed flight of Boeing's new Starliner spacecraft. 

You can watch all of this action live here at Space.com. Coverage of Williams and Wilmore's KSC arrival will begin at 1 p.m. EDT (1500 GMT), in the middle of the Russian spacewalk. (NASA will air the KSC event on its main YouTube channel and switch the spacewalk to its media channel at that point.) 

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].

Michael Wall is a Senior Space Writer with  Space.com  and joined the team in 2010. He primarily covers exoplanets, spaceflight and military space, but has been known to dabble in the space art beat. His book about the search for alien life, "Out There," was published on Nov. 13, 2018. Before becoming a science writer, Michael worked as a herpetologist and wildlife biologist. He has a Ph.D. in evolutionary biology from the University of Sydney, Australia, a bachelor's degree from the University of Arizona, and a graduate certificate in science writing from the University of California, Santa Cruz. To find out what his latest project is, you can follow Michael on Twitter.

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Nasa sets coverage of roscosmos spacewalk outside space station.

Abbey A. Donaldson

Nasa headquarters.

NASA will provide live coverage, beginning at 10:30 a.m. EDT Thursday, April 25, as two Roscosmos cosmonauts conduct a spacewalk outside the International Space Station. The spacewalk is expected to begin at 10:55 a.m. and could last up to seven hours.

NASA will stream the spacewalk on NASA+ , NASA Television, the NASA app , YouTube , and the agency’s website . Learn how to stream NASA TV through a variety of platforms including social media.

Expedition 71 crewmates Oleg Kononenko and Nikolai Chub will venture outside the station’s Poisk airlock to complete the deployment of one panel on a synthetic radar system on the Nauka module.The two cosmonauts will also install equipment and experiments on the Poisk module to analyze the level of corrosion on station surfaces and modules.

The spacewalk will be the 270th in support of space station, and will be the seventh for Kononenko, who will wear the Orlan spacesuit with the red stripes, and the second for Chub, who will wear the spacesuit with the blue stripes.

Get breaking news, images, and features from the space station on the station blog , Instagram , Facebook , and X .

Learn more about International Space Station research and operations at:

https://www.nasa.gov/station

Joshua Finch / Claire O’Shea Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1100 [email protected] / claire.a.o’[email protected]

Sandra Jones Johnson Space Center, Houston 281-483-5111 [email protected]