Convert Mach 1 to Orbital Speed (ISS)

Convert Mach 1 (Ma) to Orbital Speed (ISS) (v_orb) instantly and accurately.

Conversion Formula

v_orb = Ma × 0.04442428198

About Mach 1

Mach 1 = the speed of sound in dry air at ISA sea-level (15°C, 101.325 kPa) = exactly 340.29 m/s (1,225 km/h; 761 mph). Chuck Yeager first exceeded it on 14 October 1947 in the Bell X-1. At 35,000 ft cruise altitude (−56.5°C), it falls to 295.1 m/s. Flight regimes: subsonic Mach 5. Concorde cruised at Mach 2.02; SR-71 at Mach 3.2. 1 Mach 1 = 340.29 m/s.

About Orbital Speed (ISS)

The ISS orbits at ~408 km altitude at ≈7,660 m/s (27,576 km/h) - the practical LEO benchmark. At this speed it completes one orbit in 92.68 min (15.5 orbits per day), giving astronauts 16 sunrises and sunsets every 24 hours. Delta-v to reach LEO from Earth's surface is ~9,400 m/s (with gravity and drag losses). GEO at 35,786 km requires only ~3,075 m/s per Kepler's third law. 1 ISS speed ≈ 7,660 m/s.

Quick Reference Table

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