Transits of the ISS International Space Station and Tiangong – July 2026

Table of Contents

• Notable transits of the ISS International Space Station for July 2026
  • Summary – ISS
• Notable transits of the Tiangong space station for July 2026
  • Summary – Tiangong

Notable transits of the ISS International Space Station for July 2026

Throughout the month, the ISS – International Space Station will be visible in our skies with five particularly favorable passes, during which it will reach very high brightness (apparent magnitudes close to -4). The events – easily visible from the entire Peninsula – will predominantly occur in the early part of the night.

July 6

The first pass will take place on the evening of Monday, July 6; the transit will occur between 22:49 and 23:00, following a trajectory from OSO to NE. The peak magnitude will be -3.5.

July 7

Shortly after sunset, the pass on Tuesday, July 7 will begin at 22:01 heading SW and end at 22:12 heading ENE. The peak magnitude reached by the ISS will be -3.9.

July 9

At 03:42 on Thursday, July 9, the International Space Station will be seen rising in the NW direction. Following it across the sky, it will culminate in the NNE direction with a peak magnitude of -3.8 and then set at 03:53 towards SE.

July 20

The pass on Monday, July 20 will again occur in the early part of the night; however, it will only be partially visible. The ISS will rise at 22:54 in the NW direction and follow its trajectory until culmination at 23:00 with an apparent magnitude of -3.8 in the NE direction; after which it will enter shadow.

July 23

Once again, a pass only partially observable on Thursday, July 23. Visible at its rising from ONO at 22:06, the International Space Station will return to shadow at 22:13, after reaching culmination a few minutes earlier in the SW direction with an apparent magnitude of -3.7.

Summary – ISS

Day
Start Time
Direction
End Time
Direction
Magnitude
6
22:49
OSO
23:00
NE
-3.5
7
22:01
SO
22:12
ENE
-3.9
9
03:42
O
03:53
SE
-3.8
20
22:54
NO
23:00
NE
-3.8
23
22:06
ONO
22:13
SE
-3.7

N.B. The visible directions for each transit refer to a point centered on the peninsula, in central Italy, Tyrrhenian coast. Consider a margin of ± 1-5 minutes from the times above, due to the significant advance with which they have been calculated.

Notable transits of the Tiangong space station for July 2026

For the Chinese space station as well, several interesting passes will be recorded over the next month, with peak magnitudes ranging from -1.5 to -1.7 (to give an idea, it will be twice as bright as the star Sirius). The observation will be particularly favored in the islands and southern Italy, although the events – usually partial transits evenly distributed throughout the night – will be visible from the entire Peninsula.

July 1

At 03:34 on Wednesday, July 1, the Tiangong space station will become visible in the SW direction at an altitude of about 60º. The culmination will occur a few seconds later towards South with a peak magnitude of -2.3, after which it will continue until it sets in the East at 03:39.

July 4

The pass on Saturday, July 4 will also occur in the morning; it will begin at 03:46 with Tiangong emerging from shadow at about 35º altitude in the West. It will then be visible until its setting in the ESE direction at 03:52. The culmination will occur at 03:47 towards South with a magnitude of -2.3.

July 11

The event on Saturday, July 11 will take place in the evening. The Chinese space station will be visible as soon as it rises (at 22:53) in the West and for the first part of its trajectory; it will culminate in the South at 22:58 and enter shadow only a few seconds later.

July 13

On Monday, July 13 at 22:38, Tiangong will be visible in the West starting at 22:58. It can be followed along its path in the sky until culmination, which will occur at 22:33 in the South with an apparent magnitude of -2.3; it will enter shadow about a minute later.

Summary – Tiangong

Day
Start Time
Direction
End Time
Direction
Magnitude
1
03:34
SO
03:39
E
-2.3
4
03:46
O
03:52
ESE
-2.3
11
22:53
O
22:58
SE
-2.3
13
22:28
O
22:35
E
-2.3
N.B. The visible directions for each transit refer to a point centered on the peninsula, in central Italy, Tyrrhenian coast. Consider a margin of ± 1-5 minutes from the times above, due to the significant advance with which they have been calculated.

WARNING

In case of Boosters of the ISS and Tiangong performed in the days following the publication of the article, the times may differ significantly. We invite you to always check the website https://www.heavens-above.com/, especially when planning an observation session.

TRANSITS OF PREVIOUS MONTHS

---

Do you want to stay updated on the Sky of the Month and the most spectacular events?