Question: Is the ISS on autopilot or manual?

Namrah Habib answered on 9 Mar 2021:

Hi Zara! The ISS orbits Earth in a nearly circular orbit about 330 km above Earth. Like all other satellites, the ISS stays in orbit by balancing its speed with with the gravitational pull of Earth. The closer a satellite is to Earth the faster it needs to move in order to stay in orbit. Usually when a satellite is launched and released into orbit it is already travelling at a given speed and that satellites keep that initial speed to counter the gravitational pull of Earth to stay in orbit. However, ISS altitude gradually does decrease because of Earth’s gravitational pull and atmospheric drag, but the amount it decreases is about 2 km/month. Usually to counter this ISS performs re-boost manoeuvres which are performed with using the Zvezda module and are often planned!