How Heavy Is the International Space Station?
the International Space Station weighs about
420 t (463 US tons)
Using a log scale so small objects stay visible — the numbers stay real.
- the Eiffel Tower10,100,000 kg
official figures published by the tower operator: 7,300 t of metal frame, 10,100 t total including the lifts, shops and antennae (French metric tonnes)
- the International Space Station420,000 kg
complete International Space Station, NASA published mass figure
- a blue whale150,000 kg
adult; females larger than males; Antarctic subspecies up to 330,000 lb (149,685 kg), North Atlantic/North Pacific over 100,000 lb (45,359 kg)
- an African elephant4,500 kg
adult male 4,500–6,100 kg; adult female 2,000–3,500 kg
- You
Open full comparison → to add more objects on one scale.
Put it in perspective
- About 2.8× a blue whale
- About 24× the Eiffel Tower
- About 93× an African elephant
Why weights differ
The published mass grows as modules and docked visiting vehicles are added, so different NASA pages and dates can show slightly different figures.
Sources
[1] NASA
International Space Station Facts and FiguresGovernment agency
“Mass: 925,335 pounds (419,725 kilograms)”
Value as published: 925,335 pounds (419,725 kilograms) · accessed 2026-11-11.
Last updated 2026-11-11.Report a correction (please include a source link).
Related objects
- a Space Shuttle orbiter68.6 t (75.7 US tons)
- a Saturn V rocket2,800 t (3,090 US tons)
- a semi-truck at maximum gross weight40 US tons (36,290 kg)
- a 40 ft shipping container32.5 t (35.8 US tons)
- a 20 ft shipping container30.5 t (33.6 US tons)
- a school bus14.97 t (16.5 US tons)
Frequently asked questions
How much does the International Space Station weigh?
the International Space Station weighs about 420 t (463 US tons) — complete International Space Station, NASA published mass figure.
How much is the International Space Station in pounds and ounces?
925,000 lb, which is 14,799,999.999999998 oz. In metric terms: 420,000 kg.
Is the International Space Station heavier than a blue whale?
Yes. the International Space Station weighs about 420 t (463 US tons), while a blue whale is about 150 t (165 US tons) — roughly 2.8×.
Why do sources give different weights?
The published mass grows as modules and docked visiting vehicles are added, so different NASA pages and dates can show slightly different figures.
Where does this number come from?
Every source is listed at the bottom of this page with publisher, link, access date and a verbatim quote. Numbers are only published when a qualifying source can be verified.