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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/cap-iss-16-orbits

About how many times does the International Space Station orbit Earth in 24 hours?

16 times, about once every 90 minutes.

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  1. 4
  2. 90
  3. 16 ✔

Why: The station moves about five miles per second, so it circles Earth about every 90 minutes. That gives its crew around 16 sunrises and sunsets a day.

Huh, didn't know that: NASA says the ISS has been continuously occupied since November 2000.

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References

Answer: 16. The station moves about five miles per second, so it circles Earth about every 90 minutes. That gives its crew around 16 sunrises and sunsets a 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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