Starbook · The ISS, live
Where is the ISS right now?
The International Space Station is circling Earth this very moment — about 400 km up, travelling near 28,000 km/h. On Starbook you can see exactly where it is, on live data, and fly right up to it in an interactive 3D map of the cosmos.
Right now · live
Locating the ISS on live tracking data…
How fast, how high, how often
The ISS sits in low Earth orbit, roughly 400 km above the surface, moving fast enough to lap the entire planet about every 90 minutes — so its crew sees around 16 sunrises and sunsets every single day. It has been continuously crewed since the year 2000, making it the longest-running home humans have ever kept off Earth.
See it live on Starbook
Starbook plots the ISS and other satellites from live tracking data, in their real orbits around Earth — no fabricated positions. Open the Atlas, fly to Earth, and you'll find the ISS and live satellites circling it; select the ISS to ride along.
About the International Space Station
The ISS is the largest crewed structure humans have ever put in space — a science laboratory the size of a football field, built and run as a partnership between space agencies around the world. It's also one of the brightest objects in the night sky: on a clear evening you can watch it cross overhead with the naked eye, a steady point of light moving far faster than any plane.
ISS — quick questions
How fast is the ISS moving?
Roughly 28,000 km/h (about 7.7 km/s) — fast enough to circle the entire planet in about 90 minutes.
How high is the ISS?
About 400 km above Earth's surface, in low Earth orbit.
How often does the ISS orbit Earth?
About once every 90 minutes — roughly 16 times a day. The crew sees about 16 sunrises and sunsets every 24 hours.
Can I see the ISS from the ground?
Yes — it's one of the brightest objects in the night sky, visible to the naked eye as a fast-moving point of light, usually around dawn or dusk.
Is the ISS position on Starbook real?
Yes. Starbook plots the ISS and other satellites from live tracking data (CelesTrak), in their real orbits around Earth — nothing fabricated.