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ISS passes

The ISS is often the brightest moving light in the sky. Here is when it passes over your place lit by the Sun while your sky is dark.

When can I see the ISS from London?

There are no visible ISS passes from London in the next few days. Visible passes come in runs of several days, usually a couple of times a month.

Calculated for Mon, 5 Oct 2026 · London, United Kingdom

Times for London, United Kingdom

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How SkyMate knows

SkyMate takes the Space Station’s current orbital elements from CelesTrak (refreshed at most every two hours) and calculates its path over your place with the SGP4 model (satellite.js). A pass is listed only when the ISS is above the horizon, lit by the Sun, and your sky is dark enough to see it.

Orbits change with reboosts and drag, so times are most reliable for the next few days. If current elements can’t be loaded, no times are shown.

Data: CelesTrak orbital elements, satellite.js (MIT). How visibility is calculated · Astronomy data · Sources and licences

Related questions

What does the ISS look like?
A bright, steady point of light moving smoothly across the sky in a few minutes, with no blinking lights. At its best it is brighter than any star.
Why can I only see the ISS at dawn or dusk?
The ISS shines by reflected sunlight. It is visible when your sky is dark but the station, about 400 km up, is still lit by the Sun: usually in the hours after sunset and before sunrise.
Do I need a telescope to see the ISS?
No. The ISS is easy to see with your eyes. Binoculars can help you follow it, but a telescope is hard to aim at something moving that fast.