Via Sen
I can't wait for the day when space flights become the norm. I'm not talking about traveling to other planets—just a quick trip up to the International Space Station, soaking up the views, and coming right back. Yes, I will absolutely strap myself to a giant rocket and launch into the vast black void if it means I get to watch our planet from above and experience weightlessness.
But until that happens, I guess I'll have to settle for the next best thing: a 24/7 ultra-HD 4K livestream of Earth from space.
That's right, thanks to a new high-definition camera setup called SpaceTV-1, you can now watch Earth from orbit anytime you want. This system was sent to the ISS last year by Sen, a company dedicated to making the wonders of space accessible to everyone. The goal? To share the "Overview Effect"—the powerful, almost spiritual feeling of awe astronauts experience when they see Earth from space. Apollo 14 astronaut Ed Mitchell once described it as an "instant global consciousness" that makes you rethink everything. No pressure, but you might have an existential crisis while watching.
So, what exactly can you see? Three different camera angles provide breathtaking perspectives:
🔹 A wide-angle view capturing the curve of Earth, with occasional glimpses of the ISS itself.
🔹 A closer view of a 150 x 110-mile (240 x 180 km) section of the planet, so you can watch cloud formations, weather systems, and even cities in real time.
🔹 A space-facing camera keeping an eye on the station's docking port (just in case any unexpected visitors show up).
The cameras have already proven their worth, capturing stunning footage of Hurricane Milton and incredible views of landscapes across the world. Now that the livestream is fully operational, you can tune in anytime and lose yourself in the beauty of our little blue marble.
As Sen Founder and CEO Charles Black put it, "We're excited to share these amazing 4K live views of Earth. This mission really is for all humanity, and we hope our livestream will be a valuable application that empowers everyone with real-time information—and that it will inspire people."
Mission accomplished, Charles. Now, if you need me, I'll be watching Earth for the next six hours.
The 4K live stream of Earth from the ISS is available right now on Sen's official website and their YouTube channel. Or just click below. Just a warning: once you start watching, you might not be able to stop.