Look Up to See the ISS This Week

Washington, D.C. – May 21, 2008 —If you've never seen the International Space Station flying 220 miles overhead, this is the week to do so. The station will be in almost constant sunlight today through Friday, offering an incredible view to sky gazers across the country. To find out when the station will be visible over your city, click here. The International Space Station, a unique partnership between the space agencies of the United States, Russia, Japan, Canada and Europe, is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Construction began in 1998 and will be completed in 2010. Seventeen crews have lived aboard the orbiting complex since 2000, including the current crew of three. Station residents have conducted important scientific experiments and gathered data to help assist future missions to the moon and Mars. The next space shuttle mission, scheduled to launch May 31, will deliver the Japanese Pressurized Module, the largest payload to the station so far. Another unique viewing opportunity for sky watchers is when the shuttle is docked to the station, making it appear even brighter in the night sky.

Backdropped by the blackness of space, the International Space Station is seen from Space Shuttle Atlantis as the two spacecraft begin their relative separation. Earlier the STS-122 and Expedition 16 crews concluded almost nine days of work onboard the shuttle and station. Photo credit: NASA

• 2008 - 11/17 - Endeavour Arrives at ISS
• 2008 - 11/10 - Pilot Lands Safely After Losing Vision
• 2008 - 11/10 - Not Much Progress Yet for Whooping Cranes
• 2008 - 10/31 - Follow Student Pilot’s Journey
• 2008 - 10/20 - Worlds Only Civilian Harrier Debuts