What orbital classification does the ISS occupy relative to Geostationary Orbit (GEO)?
Answer
Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
The International Space Station resides in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). This classification is used because the ISS orbits relatively close to the Earth, situated around 400 kilometers altitude. This contrasts sharply with Geostationary Orbit (GEO), which is much farther out, approximately 35,786 kilometers above the planet. Being in LEO makes the ISS reasonably accessible for crew rotation and resupply missions while still being high enough to avoid the densest parts of the atmosphere and enable a stable orbit through high velocity.
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