{
  "id": 19668806,
  "title": "Satellite snaps rare birds-eye view of the ISS | Space photo of the day for Nov. 12, 2026",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/satellite-snaps-rare-birds-eye-view-of-the-iss-space-photo-of-the-day",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-11-12T15:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Space.com",
    "slug": "space-com",
    "url": "https://www.space.com/space-exploration/international-space-station/satellite-snaps-rare-birds-eye-view-of-the-iss-space-photo-of-the-day-for-nov-12-2026"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "On November 9, 2026, a commercial satellite captured an extraordinary view of the International Space Station (ISS) from above, providing a rare birds-eye perspective of the orbiting laboratory. The image, shared on X, was released by the Australian company HEO, which specializes in using low Earth orbit satellites to photograph other spacecraft. However, the actual photography was carried out by a satellite operated by BlackSky, a Virginia-based company that holds a non-Earth imaging agreement with HEO.\n\nThe ISS, hurtling through space at approximately 17,500 mph (28,160 kph), appears in stunning detail in the photograph, showcasing its limbs, solar arrays, and instruments. This unique snapshot, which has been shared as the Space Photo of the Day, offers a perspective that is vastly different from the usual views of the station seen from Earth or by the astronauts aboard. Typically, the ISS is observed from our planet or from the astronauts' vantage point, but the satellite's bird's-eye view presents an entirely new and awe-inspiring perspective.\n\nHEO, the company behind the image, does not build the imaging satellites but rather utilizes software to instruct them to capture targets as they come within range. Their previous work includes capturing imagery of the ISS, China's Tiangong space station, and the European Space Agency's ERS-2 satellite as it plummeted back to Earth in 2024. The task of photographing satellites from above is no small feat, requiring meticulous coordination and advanced technology. Satellite operators must precisely anticipate the moment when the target will be visible, while their equipment must be capable of capturing the high-quality images needed for scientific and observational purposes.",
  "summary": "A commercial satellite has spotted the International Space Station, giving us a unique view of the orbiting lab from above.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}