NASA announced that the International Space Station (ISS) performed an orbit shift to avoid a piece of debris. The manoeuvre, which involved firing the ISS’s thrusters for 5 minutes and 31 seconds, was carried out to increase the station’s altitude and provide additional clearance from a piece of orbital debris. This debris originated from a defunct defence meteorological satellite that disintegrated in 2015. 

According to NASA, had the manoeuvre not been performed, the debris would have come within nearly 2.5 miles of the ISS. While US Space Forces-Space described the debris as ‘small’, the move was considered necessary to safeguard the station from potential collision.

NASA reported that the agency and its ISS partners were informed of the ‘potential conjunction risk’ on Sunday. After monitoring the debris with the US Space Force and other collaborators, they decided to perform the manoeuvre to avoid a potential collision.

ALSO READ: Jordan: Security Forces Kill Gunman Accused Of Firing Near Israeli Embassy; 3 Cops Wounded

Space junk, mainly consisting of retired satellites and discarded rocket boosters, is increasingly polluting Earth's orbit. If left unmanaged, this growing debris poses significant risks to both crewed and uncrewed space missions, as well as astronauts aboard the International Space Station.

Sunita Williams Stresses Importance Of Safety Amid Space Debris Threat On ISS

Astronaut Sunita Williams, who was aboard the ISS during the debris avoidance manoeuvre, emphasised the seriousness of the situation. She stressed the importance of safety, noting that every precaution counts and commended the ISS crew's dedication to their mission.

ALSO READ: Pakistan News: Punjab CM Maryam Nawaz Suspends Top Hospital Officials Over HIV Outbreak

Astronauts Butch Wilmore and Williams, who served as test pilots for Boeing's Starliner, will remain aboard the ISS until February and return with SpaceX. Starliner had returned empty in September. NASA, along with the US Space Force and other partners, monitored a "potential conjunction risk;  involving space debris before deciding to perform an orbit adjustment. The ISS, travelling at 17,500 mph, orbits in a space crowded with hundreds of satellites and thousands of pieces of debris.