How long does it take the iss to orbit the earth?
90 minutes
The International Space Station orbits Earth every 90 minutes, traveling at a speed of approximately 17,500 miles per hour. This means it takes just over one and a half hours to make a complete orbit around the planet. This is an incredibly fast speed considering its size – the ISS stretches across the length of a football field and weighs nearly 1 million pounds.
The station circles Earth at an altitude of about 250 miles and can be seen from the ground with the naked eye, especially on a clear night. It’s a stunning sight that symbolizes human progress and our ability to explore space.