“International Space Station to Perform 'Avoidance Maneuver' to Evade Chinese Space Debris”

Photo of the International Space Station provided by NASA

[Asia Economy Reporter Koo Chae-eun] Russian space authorities are scheduled to conduct an International Space Station (ISS) "avoidance maneuver" on the 10th to prevent collisions with space debris, according to local media such as RIA Novosti. The avoidance maneuver involves adjusting the altitude of the ISS to prevent collisions with space debris, meteoroids, and other objects.

According to reports, the Russian Space Flight Control Center located on the outskirts of Moscow will carry out the ISS avoidance maneuver on the evening of the 10th (Moscow local time) to avoid a collision with Chinese space debris. This is a precautionary measure as debris from China's FY-1C meteorological satellite, which was destroyed in 2007 by a ground-launched anti-satellite missile test, is expected to approach the ISS closely around 3:56 a.m. on the 12th.

A Russian space sector source explained, "The avoidance maneuver is scheduled to take place around 11 p.m. on the 10th," adding, "Using the Russian cargo spacecraft 'Progress MS-18,' docked to the ISS, the station's altitude will be raised by about 1.2 km."

The source added that the avoidance maneuver is being done in advance so as not to interfere with the docking of the American spacecraft 'Crew Dragon' to the ISS, scheduled for around 3:10 a.m. on the 12th.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.