What is the Duration of a Day in Space?

Discover how long days last in space, specifically on the ISS compared to Mars. Learn about time in orbit.

40 views

In space, the concept of a 'day' is relative. For astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS), a day is about 90 minutes due to the station orbiting Earth roughly 16 times every 24 hours. However, if you refer to a day based on a planet's rotation, it varies. For instance, Mars has a longer day at approximately 24.6 hours.

FAQs & Answers

  1. How fast does the International Space Station orbit Earth? The ISS orbits Earth at approximately 28,000 kilometers per hour (17,500 miles per hour).
  2. Does time pass differently in space? Yes, due to relativistic effects, time can pass slightly differently in space compared to Earth, although the difference is very small.
  3. What is a solar day? A solar day is the time it takes for the Earth to rotate once on its axis, approximately 24 hours.