Live streaming video by Ustream
Can’t sleep tonight? NASA has a highly majestic time-waster at your disposal: an HD video stream live from the ISS, featuring a sunrise or sunset every 45 minutes.
If the crew is on duty, the stream will provide an internal view of the station (so you can plan how you’ll redecorate once you get there). During off duty hours, the cameras will be pointed towards Earth. If the screen is blue, then either the Robonaut uprising has begun, or the ISS has temporarily lost signal with the ground, which it does every twenty to thirty minutes due to changes in satellite locations — just check back again soon. Says NASA:
When the station is in darkness, external camera video may appear black, but can sometimes provide spectacular views of lightning or city lights below.
You don’t even have to keep your eyes open to have the full Space Station experience. The stream lets you eavesdrop on the crew and mission control. Try not to get too attached to them.
(NASA via io9, images via Essam)
