Article Posted on : - Jun 08, 2010

International Space Station

MOSCOW (BNS): The International Space Station (ISS) orbit was Tuesday raised by 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles), a Russian Mission Control spokesman said.

The spokesman said the ISS orbit is now 353.8 km (219.8 miles). The readjustment was necessary to ensure the best conditions for the docking of the Soyuz TMA-19 manned spacecraft and the Progress M-06M space cargo ship, a RIA Novosti report said.

It was carried out in two stages with the help of thrusters of the Progress M-05M cargo ship, which is currently docked to the station. A similar operation was made on June 5 with the help of thrusters on the Russian Zvezda module.

The space station's orbit is raised periodically before launches of Russian cargo ships and US shuttles to compensate for Earth's gravity and to safeguard successful dockings, the report said.

The Soyuz TMA-19 launch is scheduled for June 16 and Progress M-06M on June 30.