Convert Orbital Speed (ISS) to Metres per Second
Convert Orbital Speed (ISS) (v_orb) to Metres per Second (m/s) instantly and accurately.
Conversion Formula
m/s = v_orb × 7660
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.
About Metres per Second
The metre per second (m/s) is the SI unit of speed. Brisk walking ~1.4 m/s; Usain Bolt's peak sprint ~12.4 m/s; speed of sound in air at 20°C 343.2 m/s; in water 1,481 m/s. Rifle muzzle velocities 370-1,200 m/s. Speed of light = exactly 299,792,458 m/s (the defined constant from which the metre is derived since 1983). 1 m/s = 3.6 km/h = 2.23694 mph = 1.94384 kn.
Quick Reference Table
| Orbital Speed (ISS) (v_orb) | Metres per Second (m/s) |
|---|---|
| 1 v_orb | 7660 m/s |
| 2 v_orb | 15320 m/s |
| 5 v_orb | 38300 m/s |
| 10 v_orb | 76600 m/s |
| 25 v_orb | 191500 m/s |
| 50 v_orb | 383000 m/s |
| 100 v_orb | 766000 m/s |