NASA said the ISSA used cargo ship thrusters that were docked at the station in conjunction with NASA and Russian flight controllers to prevent them from colliding with unidentified pieces of debris. The wreckage was expected to arrive within a mile of the station at 6:21 p.m. Tuesday, according to NASA.
There have been three “high-anxiety potential connections” with space debris in the last two weeks alone, and the ISS had to maneuver three times this year to avoid debris, NASA said.
Low Earth orbit is an orbital space junk yard, according to NASA. Millions of pieces of objects are flying around, and they range from craft pieces to parts of rockets and satellites that have not been implemented.
The three expeditions aboard the ISS were directed to 63 crew members in the Russian territory of the station, as part of a “relatively safe shelter process as a precaution,” NASA said.
“The maneuver is complete. The astronauts are coming out of the shelter safely.” NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstein tweeted Tuesday at 5:22 p.m.
“_Space_Station has maneuvered 3 times in 2020 to avoid debris.” Bridenstein added in a follow-up tweet. “In the last 2 weeks, there have been 3 high-anxiety potential connections. Debris is getting worse! It’s time for Congress to provide the 15 15 million requested by Potts for ov commerce ov one space mer commerce office fee.”
On February 11, President Trump unveiled a budget proposal that included a Space 15 million Space Request that would enable the current FIS Commerce Policy to respond to current and future national space policy guidelines. Improving the visualization and modeling of objects (including debris) within the atmosphere. “
No crew was injured, and US and Russian departments at the station will be able to resume regular activities once the maneuver is complete, NASA said.
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