When most people think about the International Space Station (ISS), they imagine a gleaming science laboratory orbiting high above Earth, a symbol of human ingenuity and international collaboration. But beyond the iconic images and regular news updates, there’s a wealth of quirky facts and surprising details you probably never knew. Here are five things about the ISS that might just blow your mind.

1. It’s Travelling at 17,500 Miles Per Hour

Yes, you read that correctly. The ISS orbits Earth at roughly 28,000 kilometres (17,500 miles) per hour. That means it completes a full orbit every 90 minutes, giving astronauts 16 sunrises and sunsets each day. If you could somehow hitch a ride, you’d circle the planet in less time than it takes to watch a football match.

• Spotting the ISS: At this speed, the station is often visible to the naked eye from Earth, appearing as a bright, fast-moving star crossing the night sky.
• Time Trickery: Astronauts have been known to celebrate “two” New Years in one day, thanks to the rapid orbits.

2. The ISS is Bigger Than You Think

While it may look compact in photos, the ISS is absolutely enormous. In fact, it’s about the size of a football pitch – 109 metres (357 feet) end to end. If it were on Earth, you’d spot it from several streets away.

• A Floating Mansion: The interior living and working space is comparable to a five-bedroom house, with enough room for a full crew to work, eat, and sleep.
• Solar Giant: The station’s solar panels stretch a whopping 73 metres (239 feet) across—wider than the wingspan of a Boeing 777.
• Piece by Piece: The ISS was assembled in orbit from more than 40 separate missions, each adding new modules like Lego bricks in space.

3. It Has Hosted Over 260 People from 20 Countries

Since its first crew arrived in November 2000, the ISS has welcomed astronauts, cosmonauts, and even the odd paying space tourist from around the world. To date, more than 260 people representing 20 different nations have called it home—even if only for a short time.

• First Space Tourist: Dennis Tito, an American businessman, became the world’s first “space tourist” in 2001, paying $20 million for a trip.
• Diverse Dinners: International crews bring their own cultural dishes—Japanese astronauts have enjoyed sushi, while Italians have sampled espresso in zero gravity.
• A Lifelong Dream: Some astronauts have spent their entire adult lives training for a single stay aboard the ISS.

4. The Toilet is a Marvel of Engineering

You may not often consider the logistics of going to the loo in zero gravity, but on the ISS it’s a science all on its own.

• No Gravity? No Problem: The toilets use airflow rather than gravity to move waste.
• Water Recycling: Liquids (yes, including urine) are filtered and purified to become—gulp—drinking water. As NASA likes to say, “Yesterday’s coffee becomes tomorrow’s coffee.”
• Maintenance Drama: The toilet has broken down more than once, famously prompting urgent repairs. On one occasion, spare parts were hand-delivered by a space shuttle.
• Equality in Space: There are now “space loos” designed for both men and women, after earlier designs proved awkward for female crew.

International Space Station Toilet

5. There’s No ‘Up’ or ‘Down’

On the ISS, orientation is entirely relative. There’s no true up or down, and rooms can be used in any direction.

• Wall-to-Wall Everything: Laptops are velcroed to the walls, and equipment floats gently away if not secured.
• Sleeping in Space: Astronauts sleep in sleeping bags tethered to the wall or ceiling—whichever way they fancy—so they don’t drift into their crewmates.
• Lost in Space: Objects are notorious for floating away. There’s a long-running joke about the “ISS Bermuda Triangle”, a gap behind a module panel where lost pens, tools, and even socks have been found years later.

More ISS Surprises

• Odd Smells: Despite air filters, the ISS is known for a distinctive “space smell”—described as a mix of burnt metal, ozone, and seared steak. Some astronauts say it’s unforgettable.
• Space Gardening: Astronauts have grown (and eaten) lettuce, radishes, and even zinnias, paving the way for future long-term missions.
• Music in Orbit: The ISS has hosted musical performances—Chris Hadfield famously recorded “Space Oddity” on board, and there are several guitars floating around the station.
• Emergency Escape: The Soyuz spacecraft docked at the ISS always has seats assigned for every crew member, ready to evacuate at a moment’s notice.
• Unscheduled Visitors: On rare occasions, micrometeoroids have hit the ISS, causing minor air leaks—one was found and repaired with tape and resin, in true “MacGyver” style.

Explore the ISS Yourself

Want to get closer to the action? Our site lets you:

• Find the next time the ISS is visible from your location: Check upcoming passes
• Track the ISS live as it orbits Earth: Watch its current position in real-time
• See who’s onboard right now: Meet the current crew
• Read the latest ISS news and discoveries: Catch up on updates

Whether you’re skywatching or simply curious, there’s always something new to discover about humanity’s home in space.

Final Thought

The International Space Station is more than just a high-tech outpost; it’s a place where science, culture, and human curiosity meet above the clouds. The next time you catch a glimpse of it streaking across the night sky, remember: there’s a lot more to the ISS than meets the eye—sometimes including yesterday’s coffee and a few lost socks.

Did you know any of these already? Share your favourite ISS facts in the comments below!