When you can spot the space station above Charlotte

Several times a month, Mission Control at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston determines sighting opportunities for the international space station for over 6,700 locations worldwide, including the Carolinas.

There are several opportunities to see the space station fly over Charlotte and the Carolina skies coming up.

How to spot it

The station looks like an airplane or a very bright star moving across the sky, except it doesn't have flashing lights or change direction. It also moves considerably faster than a typical airplane – airplanes generally fly at about 600 mph, and the space station flies at 17,500 mph.

Here are upcoming dates and times for possible sightings in the Charlotte area:

Oct. 4 at 7:58 p.m., visible for 5 minutes, traveling NW to ESE

Oct. 5 at 8:47 p.m., visible for 3 minutes, traveling WNW to SSW

Oct. 6 at 7:58 p.m., visible for 6 minutes, traveling WNW to SSE

Oct. 8 at 8 p.m., visible for 3 minutes, traveling W to SSW

For more information click here.

If you’re not in Charlotte, you can search for dates and times for your city here.

(WATCH: NASA, SpaceX ready for Crew-5 launch to International Space Station)

Video: NASA, SpaceX ready for Crew-5 launch Wednesday to International Space Station NASA and SpaceX are on track for a crewed launch to the International Space Station on Wednesday. (James Tutten, WFTV.com/WFTV)

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