The International Space Station is 356 feet (109 meters) long and 239 feet wide (solar array length). ISS is a large spacecraft, maintained in low Earth Orbit, where astronauts and cosmonauts stay when visiting space. Additionally, the ISS is used to test spacecraft systems and perform other experiments during long missions to the Moon and Mars.
This magnificent spacecraft travels at about 17,500 miles / 28,000 kilometers per hour and is as big as a six-bedroom house with a gym and a 360-degree bow window view. The international Space Station is owned by five countries including; the United States, Russia, the European Partner, Japan, and Canada, meaning they are directly responsible for the elements they provide to ISS.
How Big Is The International Space Station?
The International Space Station is as big as a massive football field. It has a length of about 356 feet (109 meters) and a width of 240 feet (72.8 meters). Its sheer size makes it possible for the naked eye to see it from Earth’s Surface. Here are the measurements of ISS:
Parts of ISS |
Measurements |
| Pressurised Module Length | 218 feet along the major axis (67 metres) |
| Truss Length | 310 feet (94 metres) |
| Solar Array Length | 239 feet across both longitudinally aligned arrays (73 metres) |
| Mass | 450 Tons (408,000 kg) |
| Habitable Volume | 13,696 cubic feet (388 cubic metres) not including visiting vehicles |
| Pressurised Volume | 35,491 cubic feet (1,005 cubic metres) |
| Power Generation | 8 solar arrays provide 75 to 90 kilowatts of power |
| Lines of Computer Code | Approx 1.5 million |
How many rooms are in the International Space Station?
There are 7 small private crew cabins / sleeping quarters, multiple science labs to conduct research experiments, and several other rooms such as; a storage room, BEAM (Bigelow Expandable Activity Module), two bathrooms, a gym, and last but not least Prichal docking module. Therefore, we can conclude that there are many rooms in the magnificent International Space Station.
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How long is 1 day in the International Space Station?
One day in the international space station is just 90 minutes long because of its speedy orbit of Earth, approximately 17,500 miles/28,000 kilometres per hour. Surprisingly, the ISS experiences about 16 sunrises and sunsets every 24 hours due to its 90-minute-long orbit around Earth, however, astronauts still follow a regular 24-hour schedule on board and work about 2 hours every day on the spacecraft to counteract the effects of microgravity on the body.
What is the actual size of the International Space Station?
The total volume of the ISS is about 32,333 cubic feet with a mass of 450 tons. It is as wide as a football field and can accommodate a maximum of 7 crew members at a time. However, it is 356 feet (109 metres) long and 239 feet wide end to end.
How many astronauts can fit in the International Space Station?
The standard accommodation capacity of ISS is just 6 to 7 crew members at a time, however, it can also accommodate more people for short periods, for instance, during crew transitioning or visiting missions etc.
How high is the International Space Station?
The International Space Station orbits in LEO (Low Earth Orbit), typically within the altitude range of 205 miles (330 km) to 270 miles (435 km). However, it’s not the fixed altitude, in fact, it keeps changing the altitude according to the requirements such as; to avoid atmospheric drag or some solar activity.
How many space stations are there?
There are only two permanently crewed space stations in orbit including; the International Space Station (ISS) and the Tiangong Space Station (TSS) launched by China which is solely operated by the China National Space Administration (CNSA). However, there were some other space stations in the past but they were temporary and de-orbited.
How many people are on the International Space Station?
About seven crew members on the International Space Station live and work there at all times for about six to 12 months each and then change their positions with other astronauts as per their turn. On the other hand, there are about 279 people from 22 different countries, who have visited the ISS as of the 2024 report.