International Space Station Fast Facts

CNN Editorial Research
11 minute read
Updated 4:37 PM EDT, Wed August 2, 2023
The sun's glint beams off a partly cloudy South Pacific as the International Space Station's orbital track took it halfway between Australia and South America on July 18.
The sun's glint beams off a partly cloudy South Pacific as the International Space Station's orbital track took it halfway between Australia and South America on July 18.
NASA
"This light blue ocean swirl caught my eye as we flew over the South Pacific," Hurley tweeted on June 15.
"This light blue ocean swirl caught my eye as we flew over the South Pacific," Hurley tweeted on June 15.
NASA
Behnken is pictured inside the Quest airlock at the end of a July 1 spacewalk to replace batteries on the International Space Station's Starboard-6 truss structure.
Behnken is pictured inside the Quest airlock at the end of a July 1 spacewalk to replace batteries on the International Space Station's Starboard-6 truss structure.
NASA
"Mauritania on the Atlantic coast of Africa has stunning reds that always have me reaching for a camera," Behnken tweeted on July 22.
"Mauritania on the Atlantic coast of Africa has stunning reds that always have me reaching for a camera," Behnken tweeted on July 22.
NASA
This long-exposure photograph, taken on July 24, reveals the Milky Way glittering above a bright but exaggerated atmospheric glow that blankets the Earth's horizon.
This long-exposure photograph, taken on July 24, reveals the Milky Way glittering above a bright but exaggerated atmospheric glow that blankets the Earth's horizon.
NASA
On June 29, Hurley shared this image showing the "Los Angeles Basin, where @SpaceX headquarters is located and where Dragon #Endeavour was built. The marine layer receded just enough to see Santa Catalina and San Clemente Islands."
On June 29, Hurley shared this image showing the "Los Angeles Basin, where @SpaceX headquarters is located and where Dragon #Endeavour was built. The marine layer receded just enough to see Santa Catalina and San Clemente Islands."
NASA
Perth, Australia, is pictured from the International Space Station as it orbited west of the city on July 23.
Perth, Australia, is pictured from the International Space Station as it orbited west of the city on July 23.
NASA
"I stayed up late last night to spend some time looking out the window. It was a beautiful day to see the Great Lakes and my childhood home in upstate New York," Hurley wrote on June 13.
"I stayed up late last night to spend some time looking out the window. It was a beautiful day to see the Great Lakes and my childhood home in upstate New York," Hurley wrote on June 13.
NASA
On July 21, Hurley tweeted: "Two of the best ever Spacewalkers, each on their 10th EVA today. Congratulations on an amazing accomplishment @Astro_SEAL and @AstroBehnken!" Behnken was joined by NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy.
On July 21, Hurley tweeted: "Two of the best ever Spacewalkers, each on their 10th EVA today. Congratulations on an amazing accomplishment @Astro_SEAL and @AstroBehnken!" Behnken was joined by NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy.
NASA
Behnken took this photo of Hurricane Hanna on July 26: "Snapped this photo of the storm in the Gulf of Mexico on Friday as it was starting to have observable structure from @Space_Station."
Behnken took this photo of Hurricane Hanna on July 26: "Snapped this photo of the storm in the Gulf of Mexico on Friday as it was starting to have observable structure from @Space_Station."
NASA
"Night sky, just before dawn from @Space_Station. Stars, cities, spaceships, and a comet!" Behnken wrote on July 9.
"Night sky, just before dawn from @Space_Station. Stars, cities, spaceships, and a comet!" Behnken wrote on July 9.
NASA
The Rocky Mountains and Denver as seen by Hurley on July 26.
The Rocky Mountains and Denver as seen by Hurley on July 26.
NASA
On June 28, Behnken shared one of his "favorite views of our planet that capture the boundary between night and day."
On June 28, Behnken shared one of his "favorite views of our planet that capture the boundary between night and day."
NASA
Russia's Progress 76 resupply ship, packed with nearly three tons of food, fuel and supplies, approaches the International Space Station above Ukraine on July 23.
Russia's Progress 76 resupply ship, packed with nearly three tons of food, fuel and supplies, approaches the International Space Station above Ukraine on July 23.
NASA
Sri Lanka and the brightly lit southern tip of India are shown in this photograph from the International Space Station on July 24. A starry sky and an atmospheric glow frame the Earth's horizon.
Sri Lanka and the brightly lit southern tip of India are shown in this photograph from the International Space Station on July 24. A starry sky and an atmospheric glow frame the Earth's horizon.
NASA
This nighttime view was seen from the International Space Station on June 7 as it orbited above the Indian Ocean. It shows the aurora australis and a starry sky with Russia's Progress 74 resupply ship in the foreground.
This nighttime view was seen from the International Space Station on June 7 as it orbited above the Indian Ocean. It shows the aurora australis and a starry sky with Russia's Progress 74 resupply ship in the foreground.
NASA
Sunrise casts long shadows from the clouds across the Philippine Sea as the International Space Station orbited about 200 miles east of Taiwan on July 13.
Sunrise casts long shadows from the clouds across the Philippine Sea as the International Space Station orbited about 200 miles east of Taiwan on July 13.
NASA
"Earth Art, southwest Libya," Hurley tweeted on June 29.
"Earth Art, southwest Libya," Hurley tweeted on June 29.
NASA
The Quirimbas in Mozambique, shared by Hurley on July 28.
The Quirimbas in Mozambique, shared by Hurley on July 28.
NASA
"First moments of sunrise from @Space_Station" as seen by Behnken on July 27.
"First moments of sunrise from @Space_Station" as seen by Behnken on July 27.
NASA
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