The International Space Station is maintained in a near circular orbit with a minimum mean altitude of 278 km (173 mi) and a maximum of 460 km (286 mi). Atmospheric drag gradually slows the station down and it moves closer to earth. The station must be periodically re-boosted. This re-boost can be performed by the station's two main engines on the Zvezda service module, a docked Space Shuttle, a Progress resupply vessel, or by ESA's ATV.
On September 20, 2010, NASA reported that the ISS orbital numbers were:
Perigee 351 km (189 nmi) AMSL
Apogee 360 km (194 nmi) AMSL
Orbital inclination 51.64 degrees
Average speed 7,706.6 m/s (27,743.8 km/h, 17,239.2 mph)
Orbital period 91 minutes
Perigee is the orbit's lowest point and apogee is its highest point. AMSL stands for Above Mean Sea Level. nmi stands for Nautical Miles
The International Space Station is being assembled in orbit around earth. The pieces themselves were built in various places in various nations on earth.
36,000 miles
The International Space Station is constantly circling the earth. It is in a state of freefall, meaning that it is literally "Falling" around the earth. Since the station falls at an angle relative to the ground, it will stay on a constant circular path around the earth, until some other force alters its path.
The International Space Station is about 286 miles above the Earth's surface.
around 7 times
The International Space Station is being assembled in orbit around earth. The pieces themselves were built in various places in various nations on earth.
36,000 miles
The International Space Station is constantly circling the earth. It is in a state of freefall, meaning that it is literally "Falling" around the earth. Since the station falls at an angle relative to the ground, it will stay on a constant circular path around the earth, until some other force alters its path.
The International Space Station is about 286 miles above the Earth's surface.
around 7 times
The moon, satellites, international space station, and everything else orbiting the earth.
The gravity resulting from the Earth's mass.
it takes at least 24 hours for the international space station to go around the world once
what International Space Station is the first fully functioning space station to orbit the earth.
what International Space Station is the first fully functioning space station to orbit the earth.
The International Space Station
anything that man put into orbit around the earth. Examples are communication satellites and the international space station.