Why is the ISS at 51.6 degrees orbital inclination? What is the rationale behind the decision to have it at 51.6 degrees? Does that angle change? If so, why? - Quora
![Optical observations of thunderstorms from the International Space Station: recent results and perspectives | npj Microgravity Optical observations of thunderstorms from the International Space Station: recent results and perspectives | npj Microgravity](https://media.springernature.com/full/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1038%2Fs41526-023-00257-4/MediaObjects/41526_2023_257_Fig1_HTML.jpg)
Optical observations of thunderstorms from the International Space Station: recent results and perspectives | npj Microgravity
Why is the ISS at 51.6 degrees orbital inclination? What is the rationale behind the decision to have it at 51.6 degrees? Does that angle change? If so, why? - Quora
![The inclined equatorial orbit of the ISS (ground tracks shown in gold). | Download Scientific Diagram The inclined equatorial orbit of the ISS (ground tracks shown in gold). | Download Scientific Diagram](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/277347854/figure/fig1/AS:294284940070929@1447174405915/The-inclined-equatorial-orbit-of-the-ISS-ground-tracks-shown-in-gold.png)
The inclined equatorial orbit of the ISS (ground tracks shown in gold). | Download Scientific Diagram
![The ISS orbit is a 51-degree inclination orbit that passes over the... | Download Scientific Diagram The ISS orbit is a 51-degree inclination orbit that passes over the... | Download Scientific Diagram](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280923191/figure/fig1/AS:614011926229034@1523403259890/The-ISS-orbit-is-a-51-degree-inclination-orbit-that-passes-over-the-same-location-on.png)
The ISS orbit is a 51-degree inclination orbit that passes over the... | Download Scientific Diagram
![Ask the Astronaut: Why not build and launch spacecraft from the ISS? | Air & Space Magazine| Smithsonian Magazine Ask the Astronaut: Why not build and launch spacecraft from the ISS? | Air & Space Magazine| Smithsonian Magazine](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/gimwfcR3VQ2nIjuLqPqWiK6Ojms=/fit-in/1600x0/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/cf/5f/cf5f3cfe-d56c-4aa4-9ec4-8f6b47d1d207/nanorackscubesatlaunch_iss038-e-056389.jpg)
Ask the Astronaut: Why not build and launch spacecraft from the ISS? | Air & Space Magazine| Smithsonian Magazine
![This photograph illustrates how quickly the International Space Station orbits Earth: Digital Photography Review This photograph illustrates how quickly the International Space Station orbits Earth: Digital Photography Review](https://www.dpreview.com/files/p/articles/3497390814/thomas-pesquet-iss-image-twitter.jpeg)