About how often does the ISS orbit Earth?

Once every 90 minutes, about 16 times daily.

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  1. Once every 24 hours
  2. Once each week
  3. 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 dad joke
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.

  1. 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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