In a remarkable display appreciated by skywatchers in the capital, the International Space Station (ISS) made an appearance in the pre-dawn sky over Delhi at 5:42 AM on Tuesday. This particular sighting holds special significance, as one of the crew members onboard is Indian Air Force officer Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, resonating deeply with viewers across India.
Captured in stunning clarity from Sainik Farms using an iPhone 16, the ISS was seen as a bright streak moving quickly across the early morning sky. Traveling at an astonishing speed of 28,000 kilometers per hour and at an altitude of approximately 400 kilometers, the ISS completes a full orbit around Earth every 90 minutes, allowing it to be visible from various locations worldwide at specific times.
While Captain Shukla himself was not visible from the ground, the ISS was easily recognized as a steadily gliding point of light, devoid of any blinking signals. Its brilliance is most prominent shortly before sunrise or immediately after sunset, when sunlight reflects off its solar panels, illuminating the spacecraft against the darkening sky.
Group Captain Shukla, who represents India’s burgeoning involvement in space exploration, extended warm greetings to his fellow citizens from orbit. He encouraged Indians to follow his mission and to revel in the marvels of human ingenuity as the ISS continues its journey above the Indian subcontinent in the coming days.
For enthusiastic skywatchers seeking to optimize their viewing experiences, tools such as NASA’s “Spot the Station” app or the ISS Detector app can assist in tracking future flyovers. Optimal conditions for viewing the ISS include clear skies and reduced light pollution, preferably during dawn or dusk.
As a symbol of international collaboration and scientific progress, the ISS has been orbiting the Earth for over two decades. Its repeated passes over India offer a unique opportunity for the public to connect visually with one of their compatriots in space, igniting inspiration and curiosity about the vast wonders of exploration beyond our planet.
