International Space Station
The International Space Station is a large habitable satellite that orbits Earth and serves as a research laboratory.
How big is it?
28,160 km/h · speed
Also 17,500 mph
Speed · approximate
A little perspective
International Space Station vs Uranus: speed comparison
The speed of the International Space Station is about 1.15 times the orbital speed of Uranus.
DISTANCE IN ONE SECOND
The International Space Station is a large habitable satellite that orbits Earth and serves as a research laboratory.
7.823 km in 1 s
Uranus is an ice giant planet with a blue-green atmosphere, orbiting the Sun on its side.
6.8 km in 1 s
Measurements, assumptions & sources +
International Space Station
Speed: 28,160 km/h; approximate.
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
The marked speed is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Uranus
Orbital speed: 24,480 km/h; rounded orbital anchor.
Mean-radius spherical model for Uranus; actual shape is not perfectly spherical. Gravity refers to a conventional atmospheric level, not solid ground.
Rounded representative orbital speed, not instantaneous ephemeris data.
Defined examples — our methodology
The marked orbital speed is calibrated. Unmeasured illustration details are representative.
Use the visual comparison to explore its scale, then check the measurements and sources.
Change your perspective
Put it next to…
Choose a suggestion to redraw the comparison, or open its page to learn what it is.
Why this measurement?
Why we use 28,160 km/h
We compare the speed of the International Space Station. This is an estimate; check the notes for its rounding and uncertainty.
NASA’s rounded 17,500 mph orbital-speed figure. This is motion around Earth, not speed relative to an astronaut inside.
The picture identifies the subject; the diagram compares the recorded values. How calibrated comparisons work →
Recorded properties
Dimensions and measurements
| Property | Selected value | Recorded range | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28,160 km/h | Not recorded | approximate |
Around this scale
Explore nearby values.
Compare examples with lower, similar and higher values. Each card names the measurement being compared.
Nearest lower valuePlanets, moons and spaceUranus24,480 km/hOrbital speedUranus is an ice giant planet with a blue-green atmosphere, orbiting the Sun on its side.
Around the same scalePlanets, moons and spaceNeptune19,550 km/hOrbital speedNeptune is an ice giant planet with a deep blue atmosphere, orbiting the Sun beyond Uranus.
Nearest higher valuePlanets, moons and spaceSaturn34,850 km/hOrbital speedSaturn is a giant planet made mostly of hydrogen and helium, distinguished by its extensive ring system.Sources and method
Want to check the number?
The source records and measurement method remain available for inspection.
- NASA — International Space StationRounded orbital speed of 17,500 mph. Instantaneous speed and altitude vary.
More ways to see it
Curated comparisons
There’s always another scale
Follow your curiosity.
MotionWalking1.389 m/sWalking is a form of human locomotion where one foot is always in contact with the ground.
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.MotionLight in vacuum100% of c (1c)Light in vacuum is electromagnetic radiation that travels through empty space without any material medium.SpaceUranus50,720 kmUranus is an ice giant planet with a blue-green atmosphere, orbiting the Sun on its side.SpaceSaturn116,500 kmSaturn is a giant planet made mostly of hydrogen and helium, distinguished by its extensive ring system.SpaceNeptune49,240 kmNeptune is an ice giant planet with a deep blue atmosphere, orbiting the Sun beyond Uranus.
SpacePluto2,377 kmPluto is a dwarf planet in the Kuiper Belt, composed of rock and ice and orbiting the Sun.
MotionEarth orbiting the Sun107,200 km/hEarth orbiting the Sun is the motion of our planet as it revolves around the Sun along its elliptical path.