NASA Launches New Stream: Earth Live From Orbit

See Earth as the Astronauts See It

The International Space Station launched its YouTube channel, Space Live, in September. The stream operates 24/7, providing a genuine, live view from orbit. Anyone can tune in and see our planet in real-time. This is not a simulation, not a time-lapse, and not photos refreshed hourly by NASA.

In practice, the camera “flies” over countries, continents, and oceans. You witness full sunlight, followed by sudden darkness. The lights of cities. Storms over Africa. White fields of clouds over the Pacific. And all of it in real-time.

NASA announced that their space stream project is generating massive viewer interest.

Where and How to Watch Space Live

You can find the “Space Live” transmission on NASA’s official YouTube channel. The feed is free and open to everyone. There is no paywall, no registration, and no login required. For viewer convenience, ISS representatives enabled the transmission in high-definition (HD).

The stream is generated by a camera pointed toward the front of the station. The International Docking Adapter 2, mounted on the exterior of the Harmony module, is also visible in the frame.

However, it is important to note one thing: although the broadcast runs 24/7, it is sometimes interrupted or temporarily blacked out. This is normal. During these moments, NASA displays a screen stating that the image is temporarily unavailable. The reasons are simple and technical: camera changes, system switching, passing into the Earth’s shadow, or periodic maintenance work. As soon as the signal returns, the camera “reopens” the view from orbit.

NASA Connects Earth and Space

NASA has long strived to promote knowledge about its space missions and work. Not only does it actively operate on social media, sharing numerous educational materials, but it also organizes various promotional campaigns.

For example, you can send your personal data with the astronauts on a mission around the Moon, scheduled for 2026. Now, the opportunity to view our planet from a different perspective, live, allows us to learn even more about it.

The International Space Station: A Lab 425 km Above Earth

The International Space Station is located approximately 425 km above Earth’s surface. It is a modular structure that functions as a microgravity laboratory and a center for scientific innovation. The ISS makes it possible to conduct experiments that cannot be performed on Earth.

This is possible thanks to the collaboration of 15 countries that contributed to the station’s construction. These included the United States, Canada, Japan, and several European countries. The construction of the module began in 1984 and lasted nine years. Furthermore, the station has been continuously utilized by various crews since 2000.

Secrets of Our Planet

Earth is a unique planet—the only one where we know life exists. Its history is long, and its conditions are truly extraordinary. Below are quick answers to frequently asked questions about its formation and most important characteristics. The live space stream offers an unparalleled perspective on Earth.

How did Earth form? Earth formed approximately 4.54 billion years ago from a disk of dust and gas around the young Sun. Through accretion and subsequent collisions, it became the third planet from the star we now call the Sun.

How did the Moon form? The early Solar System was chaotic. Planets were just forming, and collisions were commonplace. At one point, Earth collided with a Mars-sized object (astronomers call it “Theia”). The matter ejected into space did not escape. It accumulated in orbit and, after some time, formed a single object. That is how the Moon was created.

Why is Earth unique? Earth is the only known planet with liquid water, a stable atmosphere, and conditions where life can exist. Its surface is mostly covered by oceans—these regulate the climate and determine what our environment looks like.

Read this article in Polish: NASA uruchomiła nowy stream. Ziemia na żywo z orbity