Getting started
Scroll from the Alaska relay toward the station. Orbio narrates the tour. If your browser pauses audio, tap the page or select Enable sound. Select Next transmission to advance one line at a time. On final approach, the dots resolve into the ISS and Orbio hands you the drone.
To start at the station, select Launch Apps. Open Missions → Pilot a drone when the Mint exterior is ready. Choose Exit flight to return to the station viewer.
Flight controls
- W / S
- Thrust forward or backward. The up and down arrows work too.
- A / D
- Move sideways. The left and right arrows do the same.
- E / Q
- Rise or descend.
- Space
- Brake and settle beside a marker.
- Drag the view
- Orbit the camera around the drone.
- C
- Open Orbio chat during flight.
- Esc
- Close the chat, or exit flight when the flight controls have focus.
On a touch screen, hold a directional thruster or use Raise and Lower. Drag the open view to look around. Orbio approach can take over the approach to your current target.
Inspection & docking
- Port solar array. Follow the beacon out to the wing. Slow down near the marker until Scan component becomes available.
- Starboard truss. Cross to the opposite side and scan the marked structure.
- Columbus laboratory. Follow the third marker and hold position through the scan.
- Docking adapter. Return to the final marker. When the drone is steady, select Dock and wait for hard-dock confirmation.
If you lose sight of a marker, select Orbio approach. You still command each scan and the final docking maneuver.
Station viewer
Open Station to switch between Mint, Tripo, Meshy and Rodin. Drag to orbit the model and scroll or pinch to zoom. Use Wireframe to see the mesh, Exploded view to separate assemblies, or Enter Destiny to look inside Mint’s laboratory.
For a visual comparison mission, open Missions → Start inspection. Capture the solar panel joint on Mint, match the view on Tripo, then record what you can see.
Earth & Orbio
Open chat and try “Show me a map of Houston.” In Earth → Orbit map, you can also enter a city or coordinates, or select a point on the chart. The ground track advances on a simulated clock. The Earth window plays a recorded orbital view.
In Earth → US satellite imagery, compare two dates over the Missouri River, Houston or California’s Central Valley. Add an observation and choose Download illustrated report to save the image pair with your notes.
During a flight, ask “What is my target?” Local radio can explain your target, scanning and docking. With a live Orbio connection, you can also ask open-ended questions. The chat header shows the current connection.
Mission transcript
Read the transmissions in flight order. Follow along with Orbio during the tour.
Ground relay
Alaska relay to Station. Orbio here. I have your signal. Let’s follow it up.
Station has an inspection for us. Three places on the hull need a closer look. Your drone is waiting at the other end of this signal.
Orbital pass
There’s North America below us. Keep your eyes above the horizon. The station is coming into range.
That curve under the clouds is Florida. Once you have the controls, ask me for a map of Houston. I can mark it while you fly.
First contact
See those rows of light? They’re the solar arrays. I’m picking up the truss that joins them.
Follow that beam to the port solar array. That’s our first stop. Then we cross to the starboard truss and the Columbus laboratory.
Final approach
I have a visual on the hull. Our inspection drone is just ahead. Stand by to take control.
Hold steady beside each marker before you scan. When the third scan is aboard, look for the docking adapter. I’ll talk you through the last few meters.
Taking control
You have the drone. Your first target is the port solar array. Fly to it, or select Orbio approach.
Sources & credits
The four ISS models come from the ISS Generator Study. The Alaska relay is fictional. Its surroundings use USGS elevation data and Poly Haven snow surfaces. See the landing artwork, voice and font credits.
The Earth films combine NASA Blue Marble and Black Marble imagery with cloud textures adapted from Solar System Scope under CC BY 4.0. Image sources and modifications are listed in the Earth texture credits.
Place maps use data from OpenStreetMap contributors. The orbital chart uses CelesTrak elements, and the dated observation imagery comes from NASA EOSDIS GIBS.