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Most of the time, the International Space Station (ISS) is orbiting the Earth at an altitude of approximately 220 miles (354 km), which places it in low Earth orbit (LEO). This distance can change, however, and has varied from 205 miles (330 km) to a planned maximum of 248 miles (400 km).
A: The space station travels through space at 17,500 miles per hour at an altitude of about 220. miles. We orbit the Earth about once every 90 minutes. During the orbit of the Earth we are in. daylight for about 45 minutes and darkness for about 45 minutes. That means the sun will rise and. set 16 times a day. You can see the space station from where you live at certain times. Visit http://. www.jsc.nasa.gov/sightings/index.html to find out when you can see the ISS.