NASA operates a live high-definition video stream from an external camera mounted on the International Space Station's Harmony module. The feed is publicly available and provides real-time views of the station's surroundings, including the International Docking Adapter 2, which is visible because the camera is angled forward. If the Harmony module camera goes offline for an extended period due to operational reasons, the stream switches to a continuous loop of recorded Earth views, clearly labeled with the caption "Previously Recorded."

The stream is part of NASA's ongoing effort to share the experience of living and working in orbit with the public. The space station orbits Earth at an average altitude of about 250 miles (425 kilometers). It has been continuously occupied since November 2000 — more than two decades of uninterrupted human presence in space.

The station is a joint project involving five space agencies from 15 countries. It functions as a microgravity laboratory where researchers conduct science and develop new technologies that would be impossible to achieve on Earth. The results inform everything from materials science to human health research, and the platform has paved the way for future deep-space exploration.

For anyone interested in seeing the station directly from the ground, NASA's Spot the Station service provides alerts. The station looks like a fast-moving star crossing the sky, but you need to know when and where to look. NASA's mobile app sends notifications so you can step outside, look up, and wave to the crew as they pass overhead.

The live stream is available at nasa.gov/iss. More information about the station and its research is available at the official page: https://go.nasa.gov/3CkVtC8.

What the camera shows

The external camera is mounted on the Harmony module, one of the station's connecting nodes. Its forward-looking angle allows viewers to see docking ports and other hardware. The feed is intended to give the public a sense of the station's orientation and movement, and to let people watch spacecraft approach or depart. When the live camera is unavailable, the recorded loop still offers compelling Earth views, including clouds, oceans, and coastlines rolling by at 17,500 miles per hour.

The station's role and scale

The International Space Station is the largest structure ever assembled in space. Its pressurized volume is roughly equivalent to a six-bedroom house, and it carries a full suite of science laboratories. The partnership includes NASA (United States), Roscosmos (Russia), JAXA (Japan), ESA (Europe), and CSA (Canada). Crews typically stay for six-month rotations, conducting experiments in biology, physics, astronomy, and materials science. The station's orbit takes it over 90 percent of the Earth's populated surface, and it completes one full orbit every 90 minutes.

Why the stream matters

A live video feed from a spacecraft is not a new concept — NASA's early Apollo missions broadcast from the Moon. But the ISS stream is unique because it runs continuously, offering a persistent window into the experience of spaceflight. For students, educators, and anyone curious about what it looks like to orbit Earth, the stream removes the barrier of access. You do not need a telescope or a press credential. You just need an internet connection.

The stream also serves as a practical tool. When a spacecraft like a Dragon or Soyuz is approaching or departing, the external camera provides mission controllers and viewers alike with a visual of the operation. The camera helps ground teams confirm docking activities and monitor the station's exterior. For the public, those moments can become impromptu viewing events.

How to watch and where to get alerts

The stream is available on NASA's website. No registration or subscription is required. The mobile app for Spot the Station provides location-based alerts so you can see the station with your own eyes. The app tells you precisely when the station will appear above your local sky, how bright it will be, and how long the pass will last. It also lets you know when an astronaut is on watch, though waving is the only way to interact.

A small window into a massive project

The ISS remains one of the most ambitious international projects ever undertaken. It has cost tens of billions of dollars and required the cooperation of nations that do not always see eye to eye on Earth. The live stream is a small part of that effort, but it serves as a reminder that up there, at least, humans are working together. Whether you are watching the camera feed or stepping outside to catch a pass, the station is a rare thing: a shared piece of infrastructure visible to everyone.

If you want to watch right now, the stream is live at nasa.gov/iss. The camera is on, and the Earth is turning beneath it.

Credit: NASA