Frequently asked questions and answers

1. I am entering my location, but the observer's coordinates keep stuck in New York City. What's wrong?
The procedure to set the location works as follows:
1) Drag the map with the mouse until you have moved the desired location under the red crosshair.
2) Give the location that is under the crosshair a name by entering the name in the text field (optional).
The text field where you enter the location name is NOT a search field.
When you enter for example "London", the map does not move to London, but actually you are giving the location that is currently under the crosshair the name "London". This way you can give the selected location your own name, eg. "Aunt Susie's house" or "Home".
2. I can no longer see the ISS' altitude and orbital speed. What can I do?
A Java plugin is required to enable the full functionality of the ISS website. If you don't have installed Java you will be redirected to a web page with restricted functions.
You can check at http://www.java.com/en/download/installed.jsp if you have already installed Java on your computer. If not, you can download and install Java at http://www.java.com/en/.
3. Why are the ISS passes of the next 6 days listed only?
Because there are visible passes only during the next 6 days. During the following 4 days the space station will not be observable.
4. Why do the passes predictions change from day to day?
The further the predicted ISS passes are in the future, the less accurate the predictions are. Since the orbital data is updated daily, the schedule may change slightly. Even the number of passes may change.
5. Is the ground view a real-time video?
No. It's GoogleMaps, which is not real-time.
However, on board the ISS is a live web cam.
6. Is it the ground of the sea what I see on the ground view when the ISS flies over the ocean?
Yes. It's GoogleMaps, so you see the ocean as you see it on GoogleMaps.
7. Does the ISS website use cookies?
Yes. When you enter your location, it will be stored in a cookie on your computer. When you next time visit the website, your location will be already set for you.
8. Is the ISS ready assembled? How big is it? What's its' weight?
Find details at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Space_Station.
9. What are the amateur radio frequencies of the ISS?
Find the current frequencies at http://ariss.rac.ca/oindex.htm#Frequencies%20in%20use.
10. Are the times given for the passes AM or PM?
The times for the visible ISS passes are local time on a 24h clock. Examples: 05:33 is AM, 17:33 is 5:33 PM.
11. Do the times given for the passes take into account DST?
Yes, they do.