Who among us did not dream as a child of becoming an astronaut, going on a ship to distant stars and planets? Today the Internet gives such an opportunity to everyone!
As you probably know, the ISS design is based on a modular principle. Each individual module is part of the entire station.
360 video allows you to visit and explore in detail the American modules “Unity” and “Destiny”, as well as the Russian “Zarya” and “Zvezda”. From the shooting point you can look around, down and up, basically the same as in real life.
Please note: this is not an online broadcast from the ISS cameras in real time. This is a video that was specially filmed and processed in order to obtain a panoramic view.
In addition, ESA gives unique opportunity send to virtual tour on the ISS, which will allow you to explore all modules in as much detail as possible. The detail is simply excellent: you can even distinguish inscriptions on small objects and letters on laptop keyboards!
To move, use the block of buttons at the bottom of the screen, although it is most convenient to look around and change the scale by moving the mouse. On the right there is a diagram (map) of the ISS modules, which shows your current location. If it is in the way, you can remove it by clicking the “Map ON/OFF” link.
Moving between modules is carried out by clicking on the blue arrows, and when you click the blue circles with a white triangle, it starts interesting video, in which astronauts talk about the purpose of a particular instrument, device, etc.
If you want to watch an online broadcast from the ISS, then here is a broadcast from one of the station’s web cameras, transmitting a signal in real time:
This camera shows external fragments of the station when the crew is working, and the rest of the time, when the astronauts are sleeping or resting, it shows the Earth from space, from an altitude of about 400 km. Let us recall that the ISS uses Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and the entire schedule of periods of sleep and work is counted only according to it. The difference with Moscow time (MSK) is minus 3 hours.
If you see a blue screen or other blank, then most likely the station is in currently time flies in the “dead zone” and the signal is temporarily not transmitted. And if the screen is black, then perhaps the station is in the shadows right now. Often the video is accompanied by audio conversations between the crew and the mission control center (MCC).
Hello, if you have questions about the International Space Station and how it functions, we will try to answer them.
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Today you will learn about this interesting project NASA as the ISS online web camera in HD quality. As you already understand, this webcam works in live and the video goes online directly from the international space station. On the screen above you can look at the astronauts and a picture of space.
The ISS webcam is installed on the station's shell and broadcasts online video around the clock.
I would like to remind you that the most ambitious object in space created by us is the International space station. Its location can be observed on tracking, which displays its real position above the surface of our planet. The orbit is displayed in real time on your computer; literally 5-10 years ago this would have been unimaginable.
The dimensions of the ISS are amazing: length - 51 meters, width - 109 meters, height - 20 meters, and weight - 417.3 tons. The weight changes depending on whether the SOYUZ is docked to it or not, I want to remind you that the Space Shuttle no longer flies, their program has been curtailed, and the USA uses our SOYUZ.
Station structure
Animation of the construction process from 1999 to 2010.
The station is built on a modular structure: various segments were designed and created by the efforts of the participating countries. Each module has its own specific function: for example, research, residential, or adapted for storage.
3D model of the station
3D construction animation
As an example, let's take the American Unity modules, which are jumpers and also serve for docking with ships. On this moment the station consists of 14 main modules. Their total volume is 1000 cubic meters, and their weight is about 417 tons; a crew of 6 or 7 people can always be on board.
The station was assembled by sequentially docking the next block or module to the existing complex, which is connected to those already operating in orbit.
If we take information for 2013, then the station includes 14 main modules, of which the Russian ones are Poisk, Rassvet, Zarya, Zvezda and Piers. American segments - Unity, Domes, Leonardo, Tranquility, Destiny, Quest and Harmony, European - Columbus and Japanese - Kibo.
This diagram shows all the major, as well as minor modules that are part of the station (shaded), and those planned for delivery in the future - not shaded.
The distance from Earth to the ISS ranges from 413-429 km. Periodically, the station is “raised” due to the fact that it is slowly decreasing, due to friction with the remnants of the atmosphere. At what height it is also depends on other factors, for example space debris.
Earth, bright spots - lightning
The recent blockbuster “Gravity” clearly (albeit slightly exaggeratedly) showed what can happen in orbit if space debris flies into close proximity. Also, the altitude of the orbit depends on the influence of the Sun and other less significant factors.
Exists special service, which ensures that the ISS flight altitude is as safe as possible and that nothing threatens the astronauts.
There have been cases when, due to space debris, it was necessary to change the trajectory, so its height also depends on factors beyond our control. The trajectory is clearly visible on the graphs; it is noticeable how the station crosses seas and continents, flying literally over our heads.
Orbital speed
Spaceships of the SOYUZ series against the backdrop of the Earth, filmed with long exposure
If you find out how fast the ISS flies, you will be horrified; these are truly gigantic numbers for the Earth. Its speed in orbit is 27,700 km/h. To be precise, the speed is more than 100 times faster than a standard production car. It takes 92 minutes to complete one revolution. Astronauts experience 16 sunrises and sunsets in 24 hours. The position is monitored in real time by specialists from the Mission Control Center and the flight control center in Houston. If you are watching the broadcast, please note that the ISS space station periodically flies into the shadow of our planet, so there may be interruptions in the picture.
Statistics and interesting facts
If we take the first 10 years of operation of the station, then in total it was visited by about 200 people as part of 28 expeditions, this figure is an absolute record for space stations (our Mir station was visited by “only” 104 people before that). In addition to holding records, the station became the first successful example commercialization space flights. The Russian space agency Roscosmos, together with American company Space Adventures took space tourists into orbit for the first time.
In total, 8 tourists visited space, for whom each flight cost from 20 to 30 million dollars, which in general is not so expensive.
According to the most conservative estimates, the number of people who can go to the present space trip numbers in the thousands.
In the future, with mass launches, the cost of the flight will decrease, and the number of applicants will increase. Already in 2014, private companies are offering a worthy alternative to such flights - a suborbital shuttle, a flight on which will cost much less, the requirements for tourists are not so stringent, and the cost is more affordable. From high suborbital flight(about 100-140 km), our planet will appear to future travelers as an amazing cosmic miracle.
Live broadcast is one of the few interactive astronomical events that we see not recorded, which is very convenient. Remember that the online station is not always available; technical interruptions are possible when flying through the shadow zone. It is best to watch video from the ISS from a camera that is aimed at Earth, when you still have the opportunity to view our planet from orbit.
The Earth from orbit looks truly amazing; not only continents, seas, and cities are visible. Also presented to your attention auroras and huge hurricanes that look truly fantastic from space.
To give you some idea of what the Earth looks like from the ISS, watch the video below.
This video shows a view of the Earth from space and was created from time-lapse photographs of astronauts. Very high quality video, watch only in 720p quality and with sound. One of the best videos, assembled from images from orbit.
The real-time webcam shows not only what is behind the skin, we can also watch the astronauts at work, for example, unloading the Soyuz or docking them. Live broadcasts can sometimes be interrupted when the channel is overloaded or there are problems with signal transmission, for example, in relay areas. Therefore, if the broadcast is impossible, then a static NASA splash screen or “blue screen” is shown on the screen.
The station in the moonlight, SOYUZ ships are visible against the background of the Orion constellation and auroras
However, take a moment to look at the view from the ISS online. When the crew is resting, users global network the Internet can watch how the starry sky is broadcast online from the ISS through the eyes of astronauts - from a height of 420 km above the planet.
Crew work schedule
To calculate when astronauts are asleep or awake, it is necessary to remember that in space Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) is used, which in winter lags behind Moscow time by three hours, and in summer by four, and accordingly the camera on the ISS shows the same time.
Astronauts (or cosmonauts, depending on the crew) are given eight and a half hours to sleep. The rise usually begins at 6.00, and the end at 21.30. There are mandatory morning reports to Earth, which begin at approximately 7.30 - 7.50 (this is on American segment), at 7.50 - 8.00 (in Russian), and in the evening from 18.30 to 19.00. The astronauts' reports can be heard if the web camera is currently broadcasting this particular communication channel. Sometimes you can hear the broadcast in Russian.
Remember that you are listening and watching a NASA service channel that was originally intended only for specialists. Everything changed on the eve of the station’s 10th anniversary, and the online camera on the ISS became public. And, so far, the International Space Station is online.
Docking with spacecraft
The most exciting moments broadcast by the web camera occur when our Soyuz, Progress, Japanese and European cargo spaceships dock, and in addition, cosmonauts and astronauts go into outer space.
A small nuisance is that the channel load at this moment is enormous, hundreds and thousands of people are watching the video from the ISS, the load on the channel increases, and the live broadcast may be intermittent. This spectacle can sometimes be truly fantastically exciting!
Flight over the surface of the planet
By the way, if we take into account the regions of flight, as well as the intervals when the station is in areas of shadow or light, we can plan to watch the broadcast ourselves graphic diagram at the top of this page.
But if you can only devote to views certain time, remember that the webcam is online all the time, so you can always enjoy the cosmic landscapes. However, it is better to watch it while the astronauts are working or the spacecraft is docking.
Incidents that happened during work
Despite all the precautions at the station, and with the ships that served it, accidents happened unpleasant situations, one of the most serious incidents is the Columbia shuttle disaster that occurred on February 1, 2003. Although the shuttle did not dock with the station and was conducting its own mission, this tragedy led to all subsequent space shuttle flights being banned, a ban that was only lifted in July 2005. Because of this, the time frame for completing construction increased, since only the Russian Soyuz and Progress spacecraft were able to fly to the station, which became the only way delivery of people and various cargo into orbit.
Also, in 2006, there was a small amount of smoke in the Russian segment, computer failures occurred in 2001 and twice in 2007. The autumn of 2007 turned out to be the most troublesome for the crew, because... I had to fix a solar battery that broke during installation.
International Space Station (photos taken by astro enthusiasts)
Using the data on this page, finding out where the ISS is now is not difficult. The station looks quite bright from Earth, so that it can be seen with the naked eye as a star that is moving, and quite quickly, from west to east.
The station was shot with a long exposure
Some astronomy enthusiasts even manage to get photos of the ISS from Earth.
These pictures look quite high quality; you can even see docked ships on them, and if astronauts go into outer space, then their figures.
If you are planning to observe it through a telescope, then remember that it moves quite quickly, and it is better if you have a go-to guidance system that allows you to guide the object without losing sight of it.
Where the station is flying now can be seen in the graph above
If you don’t know how to see it from Earth or you don’t have a telescope, the solution is a video broadcast for free and around the clock!
Information provided by the European Space Agency
Using this interactive scheme, the observation of the station's passage can be calculated. If the weather cooperates and there are no clouds, then you will be able to see for yourself the charming glide, a station that is the pinnacle of the progress of our civilization.
You just need to remember that the station’s orbital inclination angle is approximately 51 degrees; it flies over cities such as Voronezh, Saratov, Kursk, Orenburg, Astana, Komsomolsk-on-Amur). The further north you live from this line, the worse the conditions for seeing it with your own eyes will be or even impossible. In fact, you can only see it above the horizon in the southern part of the sky.
If we take the latitude of Moscow, then the most best time to observe it - a trajectory that will be slightly above 40 degrees above the horizon, this is after sunset and before sunrise.
Cosmonautics Day is coming on April 12th. And of course, it would be wrong to ignore this holiday. Moreover, this year the date will be special, 50 years since the first human flight into space. It was on April 12, 1961 that Yuri Gagarin accomplished his historical feat.
Well, man cannot survive in space without grandiose superstructures. This is exactly what the International Space Station is.
The dimensions of the ISS are small; length - 51 meters, width including trusses - 109 meters, height - 20 meters, weight - 417.3 tons. But I think everyone understands that the uniqueness of this superstructure is not in its size, but in the technologies used to operate the station in outer space. The ISS orbital altitude is 337-351 km above the earth. The orbital speed is 27,700 km/h. This allows the station to make full turn around our planet in 92 minutes. That is, every day, astronauts on the ISS experience 16 sunrises and sunsets, 16 times night follows day. Currently, the ISS crew consists of 6 people, and in general, during its entire operation, the station received 297 visitors (196 different people). The start of operation of the International Space Station is considered to be November 20, 1998. And at the moment (04/09/2011) the station has been in orbit for 4523 days. During this time it has evolved quite a lot. I suggest you verify this by looking at the photo.
ISS, 1999.
ISS, 2000.
ISS, 2002.
ISS, 2005.
ISS, 2006.
ISS, 2009.
ISS, March 2011.
Below is a diagram of the station, from which you can find out the names of the modules and also see the docking locations of the ISS with other spacecraft.
ISS is international project. 23 countries participate in it: Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Great Britain, Germany, Greece, Denmark, Ireland, Spain, Italy, Canada, Luxembourg (!!!), the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Russia, USA, Finland, France, Czech Republic , Switzerland, Sweden, Japan. After all, no state alone can financially manage the construction and maintenance of the functionality of the International Space Station. It is not possible to calculate exact or even approximate costs for the construction and operation of the ISS. Official figure has already exceeded 100 billion US dollars, and if we add all the side costs, we get about 150 billion US dollars. The International Space Station is already doing this. the most expensive project throughout the history of mankind. And based on the latest agreements between Russia, the USA and Japan (Europe, Brazil and Canada are still in thought) that the life of the ISS has been extended at least until 2020 (and a further extension is possible), the total costs of maintaining the station will increase even more.
But I suggest we take a break from the numbers. Indeed, in addition to scientific value, the ISS has other advantages. Namely, the opportunity to appreciate the pristine beauty of our planet from the height of orbit. And it is not at all necessary to go into outer space for this.
Because the station has its own Observation deck, glazed module "Dome".
All web cameras on the ISS (International Space Station). Watch web cameras on the ISS in real time, and also look at the earth from space online. There is a camera and . On-line translation video from the ISS.
The ISS is a multi-purpose manned space complex created to solve research problems. In that space project 15 countries are participating. These are Denmark, the Netherlands, Russia, USA, Switzerland, Sweden,.
The ISS flight is controlled and controlled from the Mission Control Center in Korolev and from the Lyndon Johnson Mission Control Center in Houston. Research laboratory modules The Columbus (EU) and Kibo (Japan) stations are controlled from the European Space Agency in Oberpfaffenhofen in Germany and the Japanese Space Agency in Tsukuba in Japan. Every day, data on the station’s flight is exchanged between the centers.
Power supply station,
The power supply of the station, its modules and control systems is carried out using solar panels which can be seen using web cameras on the ISS.
Data exchange, transmission of information about experiments and telemetry is carried out using radio communications. The ISS has both internal systems connections and external ones. The Russian segment of the ISS has its own Lyra radio antenna for communication with the ground.
The main goal of the ISS is the ability to conduct experiments in conditions space flight. All experiments are carried out in special experimental modules. In the American Destiny. Japanese "Kibo" and European "Columbus". The main areas are biology and physics. Russia has its own two small research modules, “Poisk” and “Rassvet”.
Delivery of cargo to the ISS
Delivery of cargo to the ISS is carried out by transport spacecraft. The Russian Soyuz spacecraft and NASA spacecraft - HTV, Dragon, Cygnus and ATV.
Flights of astronauts to the station and back to earth are carried out Russian ship"Union"
ISS orbital altitude
This spring spaceship Soyuz TMA-09M, launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, successfully docked to the ISS and thereby launched the 36th space expedition. During the expedition (166 days), the ISS orbited the planet 2500 times! Inside you will see footage from on board the ISS, photographs from space and, of course, the descent.
At a traditional press conference, Baikonur, May 27, 2013. Russian cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin (center), NASA astronaut Karen Nyberg (right) and European Space Agency astronaut Luca Parmitano went into orbit. Fedor Yurchikhin is the most experienced member of the team; this flight was already his fourth.
Flight engineer Rick Mastracchio of NASA watches Soyuz TMA-09M arrive at the Baikonur Cosmodrome launch pad by train.
A funny tradition - the blessing of a spaceship on launch pad Baikonur, May 27, 2013.
Go! The launch of the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, May 29, 2013. The launch took place from site No. 1, or “Gagarin launch”. The docking of the Soyuz TMA-09M spacecraft with the ISS took place on May 29 at 06:16 Moscow time in fully automatic mode.
Alaska. View from orbit, May 2013.
Preparing for a spacewalk. On the left is cosmonaut Fyodor Yurchikhin, putting on a spacesuit. ISS, June 21, 2013.
Italian ESA cosmonaut Luca Salvo Parmitano inside the “Dome” (Italian cupola) - a module of the International Space Station, which is a panoramic observation dome consisting of seven transparent windows. Designed to monitor the Earth's surface, outer space and people or equipment working in outer space.
The program included about 50 experiments, most of which were started in previous expeditions. Among them, for example, is the “Endurance” experiment - astronauts study the influence outer space on the mechanical properties of materials. Astronauts also study immune responses in humans during space flight.
The Albert Einstein, a European unmanned cargo spacecraft named after physicist Albert Einstein, is approaching the ISS. On board it delivered more than 6.5 tons of cargo, including: water, oxygen, food, and experimental equipment. The docking took place on June 15, 2013.
And this, by the way, is the launch of the Albert Einstein cargo ship on June 5, 2013 using the Ariane-5ES heavy-class launch vehicle from Guiana space center to Kura.
Space cargo Ship Albert Einstein approaches the ISS.
Robonaut is a humanoid robot developed by NASA and General Motors. The robot is a legless humanoid figure, whose head is painted gold and its torso is white. The robonaut's hands have five fingers with joints similar to those of humans. The machine can write, grab and fold objects, and hold heavy things, for example, a dumbbell weighing 9 kg. The robot does not yet have the lower half of its body.
Japanese space truck HTV-4 "Konotori-4" approaches the International Space Station, August 9, 2013.
Fixed cameras aboard the ISS photographed the Japanese HTV-4 truck as it entered Earth's atmosphere on September 7, 2013.
Expedition 36 to the ISS ends. The photo shows the descent module with astronauts, September 11, 2013.
Russian search and rescue helicopters are flying to meet the crew.
And now the descent capsule with participants of the 36th expedition to the ISS successfully landed in Kazakhstan. Returned to Earth Russian cosmonauts Pavel Vinogradov and Alexander Misurkin and NASA astronaut Christopher Cassidy
Landing of the lander in the steppe of Kazakhstan
Commander of the 36th expedition to the ISS Pavel Vinogradov after returning to Earth
