Spot the Station

In the prior version, Spot the Station, I could easily scroll the observation opportunities, but now, while the graphics are cool, the actual ability to view the viewing opportunities and just navigate around (UI) is just awful. It’s like a car with new tires, paint, and engine, but inside, the controls are frustrating. I stopped using the app and thus dont look to spot the station any longer. With my mind on space at the moment, SpaceX Crew 11 is about to return home, I decided to open the ISS app, and was reminded how bad it is, and only now decided to write a review. As a UCLA educated EE, with a consulting business tag line of Refining Innovation, I can assure you it has not been refined. It is unfortunate, as I enjoyed keeping up on its movements. When it was to be a good showing, I’d head down to the Manhattan Beach Pier to share the upcoming sighting with people and it was easy to do so. Now, there’s no way to easy share the information necessary for viewing it. I would be completely surprised if your viewing stats have gone up with the app, as opposed to just looking up Spot the Station. Let me know if you’d like to meet on Zoom, and I could really show you in detail the issues.

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.

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.