Space Explorers: Experience Life Aboard the ISS in NYC

Step inside the International Space Station without leaving New York City.

Photo Credit: Eclipso

Photo Credit: Eclipso

Photo Credit: Eclipso

What does it actually feel like to live in space? At Space Explorers: The ISS Experience at Eclipso New York, you do not just learn about astronauts, you step into their world.

This 40-minute immersive virtual reality experience transports you aboard the International Space Station using breathtaking 360° 3D footage captured during real NASA missions. Instead of watching a documentary from a seat, you become part of the journey, floating through the station, witnessing life in microgravity, and looking back at Earth from one of the most extraordinary viewpoints imaginable.

The experience is based on the Emmy Award-winning documentary series Space Explorers: The ISS Experience, and every scene is built from authentic footage filmed inside and outside the International Space Station. The result is remarkably realistic. One moment you are gliding through the station's modules alongside astronauts. The next, you are suspended above our planet, surrounded by the endless darkness of space.

One of the most memorable moments is experiencing the "overview effect," a phenomenon often described by astronauts after seeing Earth from orbit. Borders disappear, the planet feels both vast and fragile, and everyday worries suddenly seem much smaller. It is a perspective that few people ever experience, yet this immersive technology brings it surprisingly close.

Unlike a traditional museum exhibit or planetarium show, this experience feels deeply personal. The advanced 360° VR filming technology lets you move naturally through the story, creating the feeling that you are sharing the International Space Station with its crew rather than simply observing them.

Whether you are fascinated by NASA missions, love cutting-edge virtual reality experiences, or are simply looking for one of New York City's most unique attractions, this experience delivers something genuinely different. It combines science, storytelling, and technology in a way that appeals to adults, teens, and curious kids alike.

Families will appreciate that the experience is suitable for ages 8 and up, making it an unforgettable outing for young space enthusiasts. It is also an excellent rainy-day activity in NYC or a memorable stop for visitors looking beyond the city's usual attractions.

You may walk in expecting an entertaining VR experience, but many visitors leave with something more meaningful: a renewed sense of wonder about our planet and the people who dare to explore beyond it.

If you have ever dreamed of becoming an astronaut, or simply wondered what Earth looks like from 250 miles above its surface, Space Explorers: The ISS Experience offers the closest thing to leaving the planet, without ever leaving New York.

Location: Eclipso New York, 555 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019

Duration: Approximately 40 minutes

Recommended Age: 8+

The bottom line: Space Explorers: The ISS Experience is one of NYC's most genuinely transporting attractions. Forty minutes of VR so immersive that the "overview effect" hits harder than you'd expect. Worth it for space enthusiasts and skeptics alike.