ISS Uses Progress Propulsion to Clear Space Debris, Preserves Orbit
The International Space Station successfully avoided a collision with space debris thanks to the maneuvering engines aboard the docked Progress spacecraft. This corrective action was confirmed through Roscosmos reports relayed by TASS. The Progress spacecraft, temporarily attached to the station, was tasked with a precise burn to alter the station’s path and ensure safe clearance from potential debris threats.
At 16:42 Moscow time, the engines of the Progress MS-20 cargo ship were ignited. The burn lasted 620.6 seconds and produced a delta-v of about 1 meter per second. The resulting correction adjusted the station’s average orbital altitude to roughly 417.97 kilometers, maintaining the crew’s safety and continuity of science operations aboard the ISS.
The incident prompted a review of the situation by mission officials. Dmitry Petelin, a Roscosmos cosmonaut who previously served as a TASS special correspondent, reported that a planned spacewalk by American astronauts was cancelled in response to the debris threat. The decision to halt the EVA was later confirmed by Roscosmos as a safety measure to mitigate collision risk and preserve orbital stability for the crew and station systems.
Space debris events like this underscore the ongoing challenges of maintaining a safe operating environment in low Earth orbit. In this case, the integrated use of onboard maneuvering propulsion demonstrated how cargo vehicles associated with the ISS can contribute to proactive debris avoidance. The coordination between international partners and mission control centers highlights the shared responsibility for protecting crewed spaceflight and valuable orbital infrastructure.
Following the maneuver, technical teams assessed the station’s updated velocity and trajectory to ensure continued alignment with the planned research schedule. Debris mitigation remains a critical aspect of orbital operations, requiring regular tracking, rapid decision-making, and readiness to execute propulsion maneuvers when risk levels rise. The episode reinforces the importance of comprehensive debris surveillance and robust contingency plans for crewed missions in proximate orbits.
Experts note that such events are not uncommon as orbital traffic increases and objects from past missions persist in Earth orbit. The successful outcome in this instance demonstrates the effectiveness of international collaboration, real-time data sharing, and the use of autonomous and crew-assisted propulsion systems to maintain safe mission profiles for the ISS and its crew. The incident will likely inform future training, procedures, and debris avoidance strategies across space agencies involved in low Earth orbit operations. [citation: Roscosmos via TASS]