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Can the International Space Station Lights be Seen from the Earth’s Surface?

-- Sabra | April 25, 2025
Artist rendering of the orbiting RadioAstron satellite

Question:

would the space station have blue and red lights on it and can it appear bright and then dim?

-- Sabra

Answer:

No, the International Space Station (ISS) does not have red or blue lights that are visible from Earth. The ISS is primarily visible from Earth due to sunlight reflecting off its large solar panels and other light-colored surfaces. The ISS appears as a bright, steady light, like a fast-moving star or a plane without flashing lights.

-- Jeff Mangum