# Look Up, Can You See It? (DD-258)

> The International Space Station is a modular space station in low Earth orbit, at about 400 km (250 miles), circling Earth about every 90 minutes. Its first module launched in 1998, and it has been continuously crewed since November 2000. It is a joint project of NASA, Roscosmos, the European Space Agency, JAXA and the Canadian Space Agency, and serves as a microgravity laboratory. Because it is large and reflective, it is often visible from the ground as a bright moving point shortly after sunset or before sunrise. The footage shows the station and its crews, with the presenter.

- Department: Space (also Tech)
- First published: 2024-06-25
- Last updated: 2024-06-25
- Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/look-up-can-you-see-it/
- Author: Marcus Easterling (DetailEnjoyer), The Detail Department

## On the timeline

- **1998**: The first ISS module launches
- **November 2000**: The ISS becomes continuously crewed

Full timeline: https://detailenjoyer.com/timeline/?case=look-up-can-you-see-it

## Quick facts

- **DD-258-F01**: The ISS orbits about 400 km up. _(Write-up · Exhibit A (400 km))_
- **DD-258-F02**: It circles Earth every 90 minutes. _(Write-up · Exhibit B (90 minutes))_

## Write-up

The ISS orbits about 400 km above Earth. It is often visible to the naked eye at dawn or dusk.

1. **400 km**: The ISS orbits about 400 km up.
2. **90 minutes**: It circles Earth every 90 minutes.
3. **Since 2000**: It has been crewed since 2000.
4. **Five agencies**: Five space agencies run it.
5. **Visible**: It can be seen with the naked eye.

## Related case files

- [Spacewalker (DD-652)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/spacewalker/): I linked working outside a spacecraft
- [Not the Space Force (DD-259)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/not-the-space-force/): I linked more spaceflight, on NASA
- [It IS Rocket Science (DD-257)](https://detailenjoyer.com/case/it-is-rocket-science/): I linked more spaceflight, on the space station

## Reel vs. record

- **Note**: None needed.

## Video: Look Up, Can You See It?: The ISS Orbits About 400 km Above Earth

- Duration: 36.5 s · Published: 2024-06-25
- File: https://detailenjoyer.com/assets/videos/C8oNLZ7Ov8e.mp4

### Transcript

DID YOU KNOW? The International Space Station, or the ISS, is a wonder of modern engineering and international cooperation. Orbiting Earth at about 250 miles above, the ISS serves as a unique laboratory for scientific research and experiments in microgravity. It's a collaborative effort involving space agencies from the U.S., Russia, Europe, Japan, and Canada. Astronauts aboard the ISS conduct studies ranging from biology to physics, providing insights that benefit life on Earth and future space exploration. The ISS also serves as a hub for testing new technologies and international partnerships in space. It's a beacon of human ingenuity and a stepping stone for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. NOW YOU KNOW!

## Questions & answers

**Q: How high does the ISS orbit?**  
A: About 250 miles. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (400 km) · Wikipedia: International Space Station)_

**Q: How long is one orbit?**  
A: 16 sunrises a day. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (90 minutes) · Wikipedia: International Space Station)_

**Q: Since when has it been crewed?**  
A: Continuously. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Since 2000) · Wikipedia: International Space Station)_

**Q: Which agency is a partner?**  
A: Japan's agency. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Five agencies) · Wikipedia: International Space Station)_

**Q: When is it easiest to see?**  
A: Sunlit against a dark sky. _(Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Visible) · Wikipedia: International Space Station)_

## Sources

- [Wikipedia: International Space Station](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Space_Station)

## Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Look Up, Can You See It?." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-258, last updated Jun 25, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/look-up-can-you-see-it/