Spot the Station

Plans and prices

Every plan, in full

On the record

Android data safety

Google Play says the app shares no data with third parties, may collect location, app activity, and app information and performance, encrypts data in transit, and does not allow data deletion.play.google.com · read 9 Oct 2026

Availability

NASA says the app is available worldwide and provides viewing information for most inhabited locations in multiple languages.nasa.gov · read 9 Oct 2026

iOS privacy disclosure

Apple’s listing says location, user content, and diagnostics may be collected but are not linked to the user’s identity.apps.apple.com · read 9 Oct 2026

iOS support

The iOS listing says the app requires iOS 15.1 or later on iPhone and iPod touch, or iPadOS 15.1 or later on iPad.apps.apple.com · read 9 Oct 2026

Languages

The iOS listing names English, Dutch, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Turkish, and Ukrainian.apps.apple.com · read 9 Oct 2026

Mobile features

The app listing describes 2D and 3D station views, sighting lists with visibility data, an augmented reality camera view, NASA resources and blog, privacy settings, and push notifications.play.google.com · read 9 Oct 2026

Notification timing

NASA’s app-store response says users can configure advance sighting notifications up to 48 hours before a pass.apps.apple.com · read 9 Oct 2026

Open source

NASA says the mobile app’s open-source code can be modified and used for other projects.nasa.gov · read 9 Oct 2026

Public trajectory data

NASA provides current station trajectory data in Orbit Ephemeris Message .txt and .xml formats, updated approximately three times a week.nasa.gov · read 9 Oct 2026

Purpose

The official NASA app helps users track International Space Station viewings at their location and receive notifications.nasa.gov · read 9 Oct 2026

Tracking

The app provides real-time tracking, flyover schedules, and alerts.nasa.gov · read 9 Oct 2026

Viewing limitation

NASA says the app may not properly report all visible passes for locations north or south of 51.6 degrees latitude.nasa.gov · read 9 Oct 2026

Alternatives to Spot the Station

NE NASA EyesAndroidiPhone & iPad+5 SS Solar System ScopeAndroidiPhone & iPad+3 CW Cosmic WatchAndroidiPhone & iPad+1 S SkyORBAndroidiPhone & iPad+2 SW Star Walk 2AndroidiPhone & iPad C CelestiaAndroidiPhone & iPad+4 ID ISS DetectorAndroidiPhone & iPad+2 HA Heavens-AboveAndroidiPhone & iPad+1

Every alternative, ranked