Space World learning pack

Life in Orbit

Race around Earth aboard a science laboratory.

Discover how the International Space Station stays in orbit and turns one Earth day into many sunrises.

Discoveries
1
Facts to explore
3
Recommended ages
5–8
Explore time
2 min

Discovery 01

International Space Station

A science laboratory racing around Earth

💡 Space Station crews can see 16 sunrises and sunsets every day!

The International Space Station above Earth as a golden sunrise reaches the horizon.
A storybook illustration of the International Space Station in orbit.

The International Space Station circles Earth about once every 90 minutes, so it moves from daylight into darkness again and again.

Did you know?

  • Go deeper: The station travels about 17,500 miles per hour and usually flies roughly 250 miles above Earth.
  • Advanced: The station is always falling toward Earth, but its enormous sideways speed makes its path curve around the planet instead of reaching the ground.