- How fast does the ISS travel?
- The International Space Station orbits Earth at about 27,600 km/h (17,150 mph) — roughly 7.66 km every second. At that speed it circles the planet once every ~92 minutes, seeing 16 sunrises and sunsets a day.
- How high is the ISS above Earth?
- The ISS flies in low Earth orbit at an altitude of roughly 400 km (250 miles). Atmospheric drag slowly lowers it, so visiting spacecraft periodically boost the station back up.
- Can I see the ISS with the naked eye?
- Yes — the ISS is one of the brightest objects in the night sky. It looks like a fast, steady white star crossing the sky in a few minutes, typically just after sunset or before sunrise. Use the pass predictions on this page to see when it will fly over your location.
- How big is the ISS?
- About 109 metres end to end — roughly the size of a football field — with a mass of around 420 tonnes. It has been continuously inhabited by rotating crews since November 2000.