899K views · 4.3K reactions | The international space station orbits around the Earth 16 times a day, its direction and speed is predetermined but because of Earth’s rotation it follows a path shown in the animation. Due to atmospheric drag it has boosters to maintain its altitude. Right now there are 9 astronauts on board, 2 more than planned, soon there will be 11 on board ☺️ - Credit Janosch Gaia | Wil Photography | Facebook

The International Space Station (ISS) orbits Earth in a low-Earth orbit (LEO) at an altitude of approximately 250 miles (402 kilometers). The ISS orbits Earth every 90 minutes, traveling at a speed of about 17,500 miles per hour. Features of the ISS orbit The ISS's orbital inclination is 51.6°, which allows it to fly over more than 90% of the inhabited Earth. The ISS's orbit gradually decays due to atmospheric drag and the Earth's gravitational pull. The ISS's orbit is periodically adjusted usin