Temecula Inventor Celebrates 25 Years Of Astronauts Living, Working In Space

A Temecula resident's passion for the stars has turned into a lifelong mission of education about the International Space Station.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Liam Kennedy, a Temecula inventor, helped organize a celebration for the 25th anniversary of the International Space Station (ISS) with the help of a local pastry chef. Kennedy has created the ISS-Above program, which alerts classrooms when the ISS is passing overhead so they can view the Earth from the perspective of the space station. He has also worked with NASA engineers and astronauts to incorporate a 4D camera on the ISS that provides constant video of the Earth.

Why it matters

Kennedy's work helps bring the experience of living and working in space to people around the world, giving them a new perspective on our planet. His ISS-Above program engages students and the community, fostering interest in space exploration and science.

The details

Kennedy, an online software engineer and amateur astronomer, started the ISS-Above program 12 years ago when his grandson was 3 years old. The program uses a device that flashes lights to alert when the ISS is passing overhead, allowing classrooms and the public to view the Earth from the space station's perspective. Kennedy also worked with a space technology company, Sen, to incorporate a 4D camera on the ISS that provides constant video of the Earth. The camera was launched into space in 2024 and installed by astronauts during a spacewalk.

  • The International Space Station celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2026.
  • Kennedy started the ISS-Above program 12 years ago when his grandson was 3 years old.
  • The 4D camera was launched into space and installed on the ISS in 2024.

The players

Liam Kennedy

A Temecula resident and inventor who created the ISS-Above program to engage students and the public with the International Space Station.

Robin McCoy

The executive pastry chef of Culinary Creations of Oak Grove in Old Town Temecula, who helped Kennedy organize a celebration for the 25th anniversary of the ISS.

Sunita "Suny" Williams

An astronaut who unwrapped and installed the 4D camera on the International Space Station during a spacewalk in 2024.

Charles Black

The CEO of SEN, the space technology company that created the 4D camera for the International Space Station.

Bill Nye

The "Science Guy" who is among Kennedy's supporters and friends.

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What they’re saying

“For 25 years, humans have lived and worked in space every day. Every day. They've eaten, worked, slept, looked down at Earth, flown over head multiple times a day, watched the world change. It deserved to be celebrated.”

— Liam Kennedy (Patch.com)

“The more I hear of your passion for NASA and the ISS, I feel very privileged to be involved.”

— Robin McCoy, Executive Pastry Chef (Patch.com)

“Human space flight actually brings out the best of us. In order to be a human in space, you have to be the best of us. We all think of astronauts as being the end all be all, but there are thousands on the ground doing excellent work. It pulls for humanity to be better to one another.”

— Liam Kennedy (Patch.com)

What’s next

In January, 60 Minutes asked to share footage from the ISS-Above, Sen camera, for a reflections piece on the 25th anniversary of the International Space Station.

The takeaway

Liam Kennedy's passion for space exploration and the International Space Station has led him to create innovative educational tools like the ISS-Above program, which brings the experience of living and working in space to students and the public. His work helps foster interest in science and a greater appreciation for the achievements of the astronauts and engineers who make human spaceflight possible.