This is an ISS live earth view happening right now from space at the International Space Station. The International Space Station is 260 miles (420 km) above the planet in a low earth orbit. It takes 90 minutes for the ISS to complete one orbit around the earth. During that time it passes into the dark side of the earth for 1/2 the time. During the dark period, you'll be able to view lightning storms and the light from towns and cities. Regularly, the ISS will stop transmitting due to a connection loss but will come back up automatically once it establishes the connection again. The picture will switch to simulation of where the ISS is above earth when the connection is lost (aka OFFLINE).
