ISS Facts

The ISS orbits Earth at approximately 28,000 km/h (17,500 mph), completing one orbit every 90 minutes.

The station flies at an average altitude of 408 km (253 miles) above Earth.

The ISS is the largest human-made structure in space, roughly the size of a football field.

Nearly 300 people from 26 countries had visited the ISS as of October 2026, according to NASA.

The ISS has been continuously occupied since November 2, 2000, when the Expedition 1 crew arrived.

The station weighs approximately 420,000 kg (925,000 lbs).

The ISS solar array wingspan is 73 meters (240 feet), larger than a Boeing 777.

The station serves as a microgravity and space environment research laboratory.

The ISS program is a joint project between NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, JAXA, and CSA.

The station experiences about 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets every 24 hours.