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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).
2 Answers 2. The ISS orbit is prograde - in the direction of the Earth rotation. Prograde orbits are orbits with inclination less than 90 degrees. ISS inclination is 51.6 degrees. These orbits are slightly easier to reach, because they don't require as much fuel, as you get additional kick from the Earth during launch.