SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/aero-iss-sixteen-orbits
About how often does the ISS orbit Earth?
Once every 90 minutes, about 16 times daily.
- Once every 24 hours
- Once each week
- Once every 90 minutes ✔
Why: The station circles Earth in roughly 90 minutes. That adds up to about 16 orbits, and about 16 sunrises and sunsets, during one day.
Huh, didn't know that: The ISS travels at about five miles per second.
The ISS sees so many sunrises that morning comes around quickly.
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References
Answer: Once every 90 minutes. The station circles Earth in roughly 90 minutes. That adds up to about 16 orbits, and about 16 sunrises and sunsets, during one day.
- NASA, Space Station Facts and Figures www.nasa.gov/international-space-station/space-station-facts-and-figures
In 24 hours, the space station makes 16 orbits of Earth
Checked 2026-10-10.
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