Support

How do I use ORBITAL BOOST?

Tap ORBITAL BOOST (the bottle in the top row). Your orbit speeds up 60×, so one trip around Earth takes about 1.5 minutes instead of 92, with engine flame and cockpit rumble. Tap it again (BACK TO ISS SPEED) to return to normal 1× speed.

Is there a free boost?

Yes. Everyone gets one free ORBITAL BOOST of about 60 seconds. When it ends, the ship returns to 1× by itself and the bottle shows a small lock. Unlimited boosts are part of Star Cockpit Lifetime.

What is LIVE ISS? Is it free?

LIVE ISS is free for everyone. It puts you exactly where the International Space Station is right now, using the latest public orbit data, with real daylight, night and city lights below. It needs an internet connection to fetch the newest orbit; offline the app uses the last orbit it downloaded.

What does Star Cockpit Lifetime unlock?

A one-time purchase ($4.99 in the US; the App Store shows the price for your country). It unlocks unlimited ORBITAL BOOST and ISS pass alerts, forever. It is not a subscription. The cockpit, look-around, pilot controls and LIVE ISS stay free.

To buy, tap the locked ORBITAL BOOST bottle or the ISS bell, then Unlock.

How do I restore my purchase on a new iPhone or after reinstalling?

Open the unlock screen (tap the locked ORBITAL BOOST bottle or the ISS bell) and tap Restore Purchases. Make sure you're signed in to the App Store with the same Apple ID you used to buy. No account with us is needed.

How do I get a refund?

Purchases are handled by Apple. Request a refund at reportaproblem.apple.com.

How do ISS pass alerts work?

Tap the ISS bell and switch alerts on. Star Cockpit works out when the space station will pass over you in the next few days and sends a notification 5 minutes before each pass that climbs at least 15° above the horizon, with the direction to look. The schedule refreshes when you open the app. ISS pass alerts are included in Star Cockpit Lifetime.

Why does the app ask for my location?

Only to calculate when the ISS passes over you. Your approximate location is used on your iPhone and never uploaded. If you declined by mistake, go to iOS Settings → Star Cockpit → Location and choose While Using the App, and allow Notifications there too. See the Privacy Policy.

I didn't get an alert.

Check that notifications are allowed for Star Cockpit, that Focus or Do Not Disturb isn't hiding them, and open the app once in a while so it can refresh the schedule with the latest orbit. Some days there are simply no high passes where you are.

My iPhone gets warm, or the battery drains quickly.

Star Cockpit renders a detailed 3D cockpit and Earth in real time, which keeps the graphics chip busy, so some warmth is normal during long flights. The app automatically lowers its graphics quality when your iPhone gets hot or Low Power Mode is on, and switches off the live Earth imagery until it cools down. For longer sessions, avoid direct sunlight and heavy cases while charging, and close the app when you're done.

Does it work offline?

Yes. The whole cockpit is inside the app. LIVE ISS uses the newest orbit when you're online and the last saved one when you're not.