Spot the Station
Spot the Station: A free NASA app for finding, timing, and following International Space Station passes. Ranked #30 of 34 in Astronomy Apps by our editors (6.0/10); pricing: Free plan; best for free ISS sightings and alerts.
At a glance
- Editor score6.0 / 10
- PricingFree plan
- Best forFree ISS sightings and alerts
- Free planYes
- Paid fromFree
- Offline accessYes
- Facts checked21 Sep 2026
Where it wins
- Free access to ISS tracking, schedules, alerts, and AR viewing tools
- Local details show pass duration, height, direction, and timing
- 2D, 3D, map, camera-overlay, and NASA resource views
Where it doesn't
- Focused on the International Space Station rather than general astronomy
- Real-time tracking requires an internet connection
- Offline support is limited to downloaded schedules and scheduled notifications
Our verdict on Spot the Station
Spot the Station is NASA’s mobile app for finding International Space Station viewing opportunities. It is designed for the general public and runs on iOS and Android phones and tablets. The app covers most inhabited locations worldwide, combining current station tracking with upcoming sighting lists, local timing information, and alerts. It is a focused choice for people who want to see the ISS, rather than a broad astronomy app for stars, planets, or deep-sky objects.
The published Free plan includes International Space Station tracking, viewing schedules and alerts, and an augmented-reality sky view. Its real-time map shows the station’s current position, while sighting details include duration, height, directions, and local time. Personalized alerts can be based on location and timing, and push notifications help identify upcoming passes. The camera-overlay view adds trajectory lines, with separate 2D and 3D station-location views for users who prefer a map-based perspective.
Spot the Station also includes NASA space-station resources and a blog, giving the app a learning-content element alongside its viewing tools. Offline support is limited: previously downloaded schedules and scheduled notifications may work without a connection, while real-time tracking requires internet access. Choose it if your goal is free, location-aware ISS spotting with alerts and visual guidance. Choose a broader astronomy app instead if you need coverage of multiple celestial objects or a wider observing toolkit.
Your product? Our editors can test Spot the Station in depth and publish a review, labelled as paid · from $149/mo →
Spot the Station pricing
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Spot the Station fact sheet
| Free plan | Yes |
|---|---|
| Paid from | Free |
| Offline access | Yes |
| Platform coverage | Mobile |
| AR sky view | Yes |
| Telescope control | Not verified |
| Mission tracking | Not verified |
| Catalog size | Not verified |
| Learning content | Yes |
| Deployment | Mobile |
| Platforms | iOS, Android |
| Support | |
| Built for | Solo (editorial estimate) |
| Pricing | Free plan (source) |
| Website | nasa.gov |
| Facts checked | 21 Sep 2026 |
Alternatives to Spot the Station
- StellariumA capable free desktop planetarium with telescope control, scripting, and offline access.9.3
- KStarsA capable free desktop toolkit for sky simulation, planning, and astrophotography.9.2
- WorldWide TelescopeA free, open-source astronomy platform for visualization, tours, and telescope projects.9.1
See all Spot the Station alternatives →
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Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026
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