• News
    • Tech News
    • AI
  • Gadgets
    • Apple
    • iPhone
  • Gaming
    • Playstation
    • Xbox
  • Science
    • News
    • Space
  • Streaming
    • Netflix
  • Vehicles
    • Car News
  • Social Media
    • WhatsApp
    • YouTube
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
TikTok
Snapchat
WhatsApp
Submit Your Content
Mind-blowing animation shows the speed of the International Space Station

Home> Science> Space

Published 17:32 2 Feb 2024 GMT

Mind-blowing animation shows the speed of the International Space Station

If you saw the ISS, it would be gone in a flash.

Rebekah Jordan

Rebekah Jordan

The speed of the International Space Station (ISS) has been recorded with an amazing animation.

The YouTube video, by Airplane Mode, notes that the ISS has an average speed of 17,150 mph (27,600 kmh) and lets users visualise the speed from Earth by showing the ISS orbiting at 10,000 feet.

Using Microsoft Flight Simulator, the animation shows the ISS go by in a flash from the perspective of us seeing it from Earth.

However, it gets interesting when viewers can also witness the speed from the ISS's perspective and the view it has below.

Advert

Viewers can see the ISS flying above as if they were standing on the Golden Gate Bridge / airplanemode/YouTube
Viewers can see the ISS flying above as if they were standing on the Golden Gate Bridge / airplanemode/YouTube

According to Airplane Mode, it takes 90 minutes for the ISS to orbit the Earth at that speed.

Viewers can observe the ISS zooming over various landscapes including snow-capped mountains, open farmland, the Golden Gate Bridge, and New York City.

Viewers are amazed at the animation, with one YouTube user jokingly commenting: 'We should all be thankful for the bravery of the astronauts who daringly flew the ISS at such a low altitude just to give us this amazing footage.'

Advert

Others joked about giving the cameraman credit for keeping up with the speed of the ISS.

Another wrote: 'In space theres nothing around you to truly show you how fast you are travelling, this is a good representation lol.'

The ISS routinely conducts a flyby all over the world as it orbits us on Earth.

The ISS can orbit the Earth in 90 minutes / airplanemode/YouTube
The ISS can orbit the Earth in 90 minutes / airplanemode/YouTube

Advert

Although the craft is usually spotted in space, there are times when it flies at lower altitudes and it can be seen from Earth. As it reflects light, it's easier for the ISS to be spotted during evening and night times rather than midday.

In being lucky enough to spot the ISS, one user explained that by using the ISS Tracker App and watching the ISS fly by at its actual altitude, 'it's truly amazing how quickly it gets in and out of your view.

'A good direct overhead fly by only lasts a few short minutes from appearing to disappearing, and in the app you can see how much land it covers in that time span.'

Others have reported that that the nighttime viewing of the ISS is an 'amazing sight' as it travels from 'horizon to horizon'.

Advert

According to NASA, in 24 hours, the space station makes 16 orbits of Earth, traveling through 16 sunrises and sunsets.

Since its launch in November 1998, the ISS has orbited Earth over 140,000 times as of August 2023.

Featured Image Credit: airplanemode/YouTube
Space
Nasa

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Astronaut showcases the view of Earth from aboard the International Space Station and it’s seriously mind-blowing
  • Footage of an astronaut washing her hair on the International Space Station is blowing peoples minds
  • Footage shows terrifying moment cosmonaut discovered blob growing outside International Space Station
  • Mind-blowing reason you never see stars in photographs of space

Choose your content:

2 days ago
3 days ago
  • 2 days ago

    Elon Musk doubles down on Mars mission update as he calls for ISS to be scrapped

    The Moon is just the first small step for man

    Science
  • 2 days ago

    Mind-blowing study suggests everything you see is actually from 15 seconds in the past

    Studies reveal that your brain is tricking you

    Science
  • 2 days ago

    Scientists spot mystery 'interstellar object' spotted hurtling towards our solar system

    This discovery would be just the third of its kind in history

    Science
  • 3 days ago

    Scientists discover horrifying find in human semen for the first time ever

    With more to be revealed as studies go on

    Science