ISS was raised to 4.2km

Russia's space flight control center said it has adjusted the trajectory of the International Space Station (ISS) by 4.2km to facilitate successful pairing with spacecraft.

ISS trajectory has been raised to 4.2km - (Photo: RIA Novosti)

' Raising the ISS trajectory to ensure the best conditions for the Progress M-09M (Russia) and Discovery (USA) cargo ships to join the station, ' RIA Novosti news agency quoted the center's spokesman.

The adjustment of the ISS trajectory by the cargo ship Progress M-07M (Russia) - is currently connected to the ISS Zvezda module - implemented December 22. With this adjustment, ISS orbit reaches a height of 352.9km.

ISS trajectory is periodically adjusted to US cargo ships and US shuttles to compensate for diminishing altitude due to Earth's attraction as well as to ensure the safety of connecting trains. with ISS.

According to RIA Novosti, the Progress M-09M ship will be launched on ISS on January 28, 2011, while Discovery ship is expected to launch on February 3, 2011.