ISS Record Altitude
The International Space Station (ISS) is now orbiting Earth at a record altitude of 262 miles (422 km). A SpaceX Dragon spacecraft nudged the ISS to this new height.
Such a maneuver is necessary to keep the station safely orbiting Earth, as atmospheric drag causes it gradually lose altitude.
How the Orbit Is Adjusted
The station can use any of the docked spacecraft to adjust its orbit. The process is performed by firing thrusters on one of the spacecraft for a period of several minutes, gently pushing the orbital facility to a new altitude.
Future Decommissioning
Notably, around 2030, the ISS will be decommissioned due to its aging condition. At that point, once cleared of crew and equipment, a spacecraft will attach to the ISS and use its propulsion to lower its orbit rather than elevate it, allowing atmospheric drag to pull it down for a controlled reentry.
While much of the satellite will burn up during its high‑speed descent, some parts are expected to make it back to Earth and crash into the Pacific Ocean.
Artemis Mission Updates
NASA gears up to send four astronauts on a crewed flight around the moon in the imminent Artemis II mission.
Axiom Space is carefully preparing its AxEMU spacesuit for the highly anticipated endeavor that will follow.
Artemis III, which NASA is targeting for no earlier than 2027, will land astronauts on the lunar surface for the first time since 1972.
After moving the massive SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft to the launchpad last weekend, NASA is now eyeing the next stage of its preparations for Artemis II, the first crewed lunar mission in more than five decades.
Now firmly in place at Launch Pad 39B at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the rocket will be put through a so‑called “wet dress rehearsal” this weekend.
The excitement is building as NASA works toward launching its first crewed lunar flight in more than five decades. The Artemis II mission, which will take four astronauts on a 10‑day voyage around the moon, could lift off as early as February 6.
NASA has just released a cinematic trailer for the highly anticipated mission.