Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, India’s first astronaut aboard the International Space Station (ISS), is currently orbiting Earth as part of the Axiom4 mission. For Indians, this week offers a rare chance to witness the ISS fly overhead—visible to the naked eye.
Key viewing details:
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The ISS appears as a bright, fastmoving dot during twilight hours
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No telescope needed—just a clear sky and unobstructed horizon
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Best visibility dates: July 10 (3:22 am, 4:58 am, 7:59 pm), July 11 (2:34 am, 4:09 am), July 12 (7:59 pm)
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Use apps like NASA’s Spot the Station or ISS Detector for realtime tracking
Why this matters:
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Shukla is conducting microgravity experiments for ISRO, including studies on muscle loss, algae growth, and cognitive interaction
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His mission marks India’s return to human spaceflight after 41 years
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The ISS, a symbol of global cooperation, travels at 28,000 km/h and completes 16 Earth orbits daily
Tips for skywatchers:
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Choose open spaces away from city lights
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Arrive 5 minutes early—the ISS moves swiftly
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Use AR features in apps to locate the station in real time
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If skies are cloudy, the ISS will be visible again between July 24 and August 1
This celestial moment is more than a spectacle—it’s a celebration of India’s growing space legacy.
Sources: Times of India, India Today, News18, NDTV, Firstpost, Mathrubhumi, Moneycontrol, MSN, India TV News, iStart, Forbes