Compasses work using magnetic fields. ... As you leave the Earth and move into space the magnetic field will get weaker. Even though the field is weaker, the compass can still align with it meaning that a compass on the International Space Station would still be a reliable guide to the North Pole.

Do compasses work on the moon?

Does a compass work on the Moon? A Theoretically, yes, but ''you wouldn't want to depend on getting back home using it,'' said John W. Dietrich, curator of lunar samples at the Johnson Space Center, Houston. On Earth, a compass needle points to the North Magnetic pole.

Would a compass work on another planet?

It depends on the planets internal structure. Compasses on earth work because the earth generates a magnetic field.