App Profile: Spot the Station

Gran of 2 boys, 2 girls

Rating: 5/5

I’ve been watching the space station for several years. When I two sons and their families were visiting years ago, possibly in 2008, I mentioned that the station was coming over later and my oldest son was really skeptical. However, when I went out on the deck, they all came out and marveled at the fact that you could actually cross the sky. It never fails to thrill me just to see them, and know they are so far above the Earth. I will watch them until my dying day.

Zildjiancat

Rating: 1/5

The text/email notifications were 24 hrs in advance, allowing everyone plenty of time to set aside the few minutes they’d get to see the astronauts zipping by overhead right in front of them. Now the cumbersome app has taken place, and it’s not so great. Doesn’t provide advance notice for when the ISS will be in a person’s neighborhood, right overhead. That is truly special, being able to run outside, look up, and see them. Especially for those of us who waited all day to watch Armstrong and Aldrin actually walk on the moon right in our own living rooms. This is the modern version of that, sharing the astronaut experience from our own homes. And now, that has been taken away. Please consider keeping both available. The app has some good stuff, but it’s nothing like being notified by NASA and being able to plan time to see them fly right over your back yard. It’s especially fun for kids, and why wouldn’t NASA want to get kids interested in space exploration, too??? Please consider bringing back the text/email option you tossed last May. Apparently the app can only see what’s right in front of it at any given second, rendering any planning by mere mortals to witness the real thing flying overhead. So sad.

Rogue Symmetry

Rating: 3/5

I was very excited to find out this app exists. I immediately downloaded it. The first thing it asks was to allow notifications, which I said yes too. But the very next screen asks me to either enter my location or let the app detect my location. I've tried both options and neither one ever goes anywhere. It's just stuck on that screen and I can't do anything else with the app. This app is totally worthless in it's current state. 11/14 UPDATE: Giving three stars now since the developers addressed this issue and my review. I haven't had time to play with it but the issue I was having above has been solved. I will update my review as I get time with the app. Thanks, devs!