Look up, India! Wave at Shubhanshu Shukla as space station is set to fly over your city, here's when and how to spot it

For the next few days, you have a magical chance, look up, and you might just spot Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla soaring across the sky aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Though you can’t really wave to him and expect a wave back, you can feel part of his incredible journey around Earth.

Here’s a simple guide to catch this orbiting lab as it flies right over India, no telescope, no fancy gear, just your eyes (and maybe a helpful app).

Why Is Everyone Talking About the ISS?
The ISS is not just a floating science lab; it's one of the most inspiring human-made objects in space. Zooming around the Earth at 28,000 km/h, it completes an orbit every 90 minutes. That means astronauts up there see 16 sunrises and sunsets every single day!

This international project is built by countries including the USA, Russia, Japan, Canada, and the European Space Agency, and now, with Group Captain Shukla onboard, India joins this list of proud contributors.

So, How Can You Spot It?

The ISS doesn’t have blinking lights like an aeroplane, but it does shine brightly, reflecting sunlight as it glides across the sky. It’s best seen shortly before sunrise or just after sunset, when the sky is dark but the ISS is still lit by the sun.

When it passes by, it looks like a fast-moving star, crossing the sky in about five to seven minutes. Be quick, it won’t wait for anyone!

Use These Free Apps to Make It Easy

You don’t need to be a scientist to track the ISS. Just download:

• Spot the Station (by NASA)
• ISS Detector

These apps give you exact details for your location, including:

• When to look
• Where in the sky it will appear and disappear
• How high it will be (angle-wise)
• For how long it’ll be visible

Some even offer Augmented Reality mode, just point your phone at the sky and it’ll show you where to look!

Tips for the Perfect Sky-Watching Moment

• Twilight is best: That golden hour before sunrise or after sunset.
• Go outdoors: Avoid areas with tall buildings or too many trees.
• Be ready: It moves faster than you think!
• Use the AR feature: Let your phone guide you.
• Wave hello: Shukla may not see it, but the gesture matters.
• Don't be sad about clouds: Monsoon is life-giving, and you’ll have more chances. The ISS will be visible again between July 24 and August 1, but by then, Shukla might be back home.

A Shared Moment for All of Us
Watching the ISS fly overhead is a simple joy, but also something powerful, it reminds us we are part of something bigger. It’s not just New Delhi or Mumbai watching, it’s Noida to Nagpur, Nairobi to New York. This lab in the sky belongs to all of us.

India spent just Rs 4 per person to make this historic moment happen. So, go out, look up, and be proud.

What Does Shukla See from Up There?
When Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Shukla from space, he said: “Today you are farthest from your motherland, but you are closest to the hearts of Indians.”

And Shukla, looking down on Earth, said something truly touching: “From space, you don’t see any borders. The Earth looks united. Bharat looks grand.”

It was a beautiful echo of Rakesh Sharma’s iconic 1984 line: “Saare Jahaan Se Achha.”

Inputs from agencies