It is the beginning of 2024, which means, Earth has completed another revolution. While we celebrated the occasion, the International Space Station (ISS) astronauts witnessed the New Year’s sun 16 times in twenty-four hours.
NASA underscores this celestial dance, stating, “In 24 hours, the space station makes 16 orbits of Earth, traveling through 16 sunrises and sunsets.” Propelled at a remarkable speed of approximately 28,000 kilometers per hour, the ISS completes a full orbit around our planet every 90 minutes.
Unlike the conventional 12-hour light and 12-hour darkness pattern observed on Earth, astronauts on the ISS contend with a unique 45-minute cycle of daylight followed by 45 minutes of darkness. This continuous oscillation unfolds 16 times each day, resulting in a total of 16 sunrises and sunsets during their orbit.
These repeated transitions between day and night on the ISS create an environment conducive to scientific exploration. Astronauts capitalize on this unique aspect to conduct experiments across diverse fields such as microbiology and metallurgy, yielding insights that are unattainable within the confines of Earth’s traditional day-night cycle.
Despite adhering to Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) for the sake of a consistent schedule, the perpetual oscillation between day and night poses challenges for the astronauts in terms of maintaining circadian rhythms. Amidst these challenges, one of the most remarkable aspects of their mission is the breathtaking views of Earth’s horizons and the unparalleled experience of celebrating New Year’s Eve not once, but an astonishing 16 times within the confines of their unique orbital perspective.