Mind-Blowing Animation Shows The Astonishing Speed Of The International Space Station

By maks in Interesting On 13th March 2024
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It's a fascinating piece that might change the way you think about this orbiting laboratory.

Considering the ISS is constantly orbiting Earth, it's surprisingly easy to overlook just how fast it's moving.

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From the ground, as it zips across the sky, its speed might not seem all that impressive.

This perception is mostly because it's orbiting far above us.

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However, a recently shared animation on YouTube provides a whole new perspective, imagining what it would look like if the ISS were much closer, flying at a lower altitude, and viewed from the ISS itself.

Curious about what that perspective offers? You're encouraged to watch the video to get the full experience.

The animation didn't just captivate viewers; it also sparked a variety of reactions and comments.

People couldn't help but express their astonishment and share their thoughts on the ISS's impressive speed.

One commenter, with a touch of humor, remarked: "We should all be thankful for the bravery of the astronauts who daringly flew the ISS at such a low altitude just to give us this amazing footage."

Another person shared their awe at witnessing the ISS in action: "If you can spot it at night, it's really amazing how quickly it goes from horizon to horizon."

This is just how fast the ISS is. Credit: Youtube / Airplane Mode

The animation also inspired some to reflect more deeply on our place in the universe.

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One viewer noted: "This only makes me appreciate the size of the Earth even more."

"The fact that mountains are only in frame for a fraction of a second and it would take an hour and a half version of this video to complete one circle is crazy to me. We are so tiny."

While someone else joked, adding a touch of whimsy to the conversation: "Next you're gonna tell me the Sun actually is a happy baby's face and our true overlords are the Teletubbies."

For those who have yet to witness the ISS with their own eyes, another commenter offered some helpful tips:

"For anyone unaware, you can see the ISS every now and then at night near your location."

"You just need to look up ISS flybys then type in (near your location), two days in a row I got lucky seeing a satellite and the ISS 2 minutes apart."

"There are also lives on YouTube of astronauts speaking in the ISS; they sometimes say hello to you. Honestly, it's so great."

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"Forgot to mention it happened a third time with the ISS flying over with a satellite about a month later and we started seeing a bunch of random stars moving, turns out there was a meteor shower at the same time and about 3 more satellites flew by."

Another user suggested the video could also serve as a unique way to unwind: "I'd really watch a 3 hour version where the ISS goes around the earth twice with some chill ambient music."