Question Distance of space stations .

[dancingstar]

As far as space stations are concerned, given that it is in a certain fixed orbit in the Earths gravitational field , it is quite easy then to calculate its distance, but could you please give me a rough estimate of their distance from Earth.

 

[Helio]

The LEO (Low Earth Orbit) is 200 miles to 1200 miles. The Van Allen Belts become a problem after 400 miles.

 

[Helio]

I think that the ISS orbit is 220 miles. So it must be overhead to be that close to an observer. When it comes over the horizon it is about 900 miles or so from the observer.

 

[dancingstar]

Is there a radiation belt on other planets? like the Van Allen Belt?

 

[Helio]

Is there a radiation belt on other planets? like the Van Allen Belt?

Yes, I think any planet with a magnetic field will have those belts.

Venus and Mars do not have much in the way of magnetic fields. Jupiter has belts 200k times stronger than ours. Jupiter's is so powerful that space probes require much greater protection, which makes trips to Europa especially more costly.

 

[COLGeek]

See here: https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/tracking_map.cfm

ISS distance varies some as it moves through its orbit.

 

[dancingstar]

Interesting link, Thank you . What fascinates me as well is the visibility of the satellites moving across the night sky at speed, and are visible to the naked eye , they must be a tremendous distance away. How high are they and do they come close to each other?

 

[Helio]

See here: https://spotthestation.nasa.gov/tracking_map.cfm

ISS distance varies some as it moves through its orbit.

We saw it last night after using the tracking info. It is very bright when it passes soon after it gets dark or during the pre-dawn hour. We saw a 7 pm pass in clear skies. It was a 6 min. pass. It was the brightest object in the sky.

 

[matthewota]

We saw it last night after using the tracking info. It is very bright when it passes soon after it gets dark or during the pre-dawn hour. We saw a 7 pm pass in clear skies. It was a 6 min. pass. It was the brightest object in the sky.

That is because it is night time at your location and the ISS is still in sunlight as it passes overhead. Once it gets into the Earth's shadow it vanishes.

 

[Helio]

That is because it is night time at your location and the ISS is still in sunlight as it passes overhead. Once it gets into the Earth's shadow it vanishes.

Yes, that is important to remember for the late night observers.

Those on the ISS are on Universal time, so they are 5 hours ahead of us on CDT, so they are usually asleep, I think, when they fly over the Americas.