2 Mar 2017 15:57

Russian Mission Control Center lifts ISS orbit

MOSCOW. March 2 (Interfax) - Russia's Mission Control Center has adjusted the orbit of the International Space Station (ISS).

"The average altitude of the station [orbit] above the Earth surface increased by approximately one kilometer to 404.5 km," a Mission Control Center spokesman said.

The maneuver was performed with the help of the ISS Zvezda service module's engines. The engine burn lasted for 41 seconds.

"The goal of the adjustment was to create ballistic conditions for the launch of the Soyuz MS-04 manned spacecraft, scheduled for April 20, 2017," the spokesman said.