The speed of the International Space Station is about 22.8 times the speed of sound in air. Selected basis: approximate values.
DISTANCE IN ONE SECOND
343 m in 1 s
7.823 km in 1 s
Each track shows distance covered in the same second. The small illustrations identify the movers; their sizes are schematic.
1,235 km/h - Speed; approximate.
Sound in air is the propagation of pressure waves through the atmosphere, which can be heard by humans and animals.
Approximately 343 m/s in dry air at 20 °C. Mach numbers use this stated local sound speed.
NASA Glenn — Speed of sound28,160 km/h - Speed; approximate.
The International Space Station is a large habitable satellite that orbits Earth and serves as a research laboratory.
NASA’s rounded 17,500 mph orbital-speed figure. This is motion around Earth, not speed relative to an astronaut inside.
NASA — International Space Station
There’s always another scale
MotionSound in air1,235 km/hSound in air is the propagation of pressure waves through the atmosphere, which can be heard by humans and animals.
MotionInternational Space Station28,160 km/hThe International Space Station is a large habitable satellite that orbits Earth and serves as a research laboratory.
MotionWalking1.389 m/sWalking is a form of human locomotion where one foot is always in contact with the ground.MotionLight in vacuum100% of c (1c)Light in vacuum is electromagnetic radiation that travels through empty space without any material medium.Side by side
Illustrative artwork · not to scale
Illustrative artwork · not to scale
Illustrative artwork · not to scale
Illustrative artwork · not to scaleGot a good eye for scale?