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Engines of Russian cargo spacecraft Progress helped ISS to evade debris — Roscosmos

The company said the dangerously close approach to the debris was forecast for 00:50 Moscow time, with the distance being 285 meters

ISS, June 16. /TASS/. The ISS orbit was adjusted because of a risk of getting too close to space debris, Roscosmos said in a statement on Thursday.

"Engines of the Progress MS-20 cargo spacecraft were turned on at 22:03 Moscow time. They worked for 275 s and the magnitude of the impulse totaled 0.5 m/s. As a result, the average altitude of the orbit of the station increased by 890 m," according to the statement that was posted on Telegram.

The company said the dangerously close approach to the debris was forecast for 00:50 Moscow time, with the distance being 285 meters.

Roscosmos said Russian Progress MS spacecraft were now the main means for adjusting the station’s orbit and maneuvering to dodge space debris.

"For example, the recently sunk Progress MS-18 made possible nine orbit altitude adjustments: Six were scheduled and three were maneuvers to evade debris," the corporation said.