Track the International Space Station over Cape Town, South Africa. See when the ISS will be visible in your night sky.
🛰️ Live ISS Position
See where the ISS is right now relative to Cape Town.
👁️ Visibility Times
Best times to spot the ISS from Cape Town.
🌍 3D Orbit View
Watch the ISS orbit path on our interactive 3D globe.
📍 Local Coordinates
Optimized for Cape Town at 34.0°S, 18.6°E.
Seeing the ISS from Cape Town
The International Space Station is visible to the naked eye from Cape Town when conditions are right. It appears as a bright, fast-moving light crossing the sky, often brighter than any star.
Best Viewing Conditions
- Shortly after sunset or before sunrise (ISS needs to be sunlit while sky is dark)
- Clear skies with minimal light pollution
- Pass elevation above 30° for best visibility
- Passes lasting 2-5 minutes are ideal
How to Spot the ISS
The ISS travels at 28,000 km/h and completes an orbit every 90 minutes. When visible, it moves steadily across the sky without blinking (unlike aircraft). Use our tracker to see the current position and plan your viewing.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the ISS visible from Cape Town?
The ISS is typically visible from Cape Town during dawn or dusk when the station is illuminated by the Sun but the sky is dark enough to see it.
How bright is the ISS?
The ISS can be as bright as Venus (magnitude -4), making it one of the brightest objects in the night sky.
How long does an ISS pass last?
A typical ISS pass lasts 2-5 minutes as it crosses from one horizon to the other.