International Space Station

Satellite Overview

A permanently crewed orbital laboratory circling Earth in low Earth orbit.

Hosts long-duration astronaut crews in microgravity

Supports biology, physics, and Earth observation research

Assembled from multiple pressurized modules and truss elements

Completes about 16 orbits of Earth each day

Orbital & System Specs

NASA / Roscosmos / ESA / JAXA / CSA

Operator

Crewed Research Station

Mission Type

Low Earth Orbit

Orbit Type

Approximately 400 km

Altitude

7.66 km/s

Velocity

About 93 minutes

Orbital Period

51.6 degrees

Inclination

108.5 m end to end

Dimensions

Approximately 419,725 kg

Mass

84 to 120 kW solar power

Power

November 20, 1998

Launch Date

Active

Status

Onboard Systems

Pressurized Modules

Living quarters, labs, and docking volumes for crew and experiments.

Integrated Truss

Backbone carrying radiators, power channels, and support hardware.

Solar Arrays

Generate electrical power for station systems.

Robotic Systems

Move cargo, support maintenance, and assist visiting vehicle operations.

Mission History

No recorded missions in the database for this object.

Explore Others

International Space Station

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