ISS Is Falling Down — Russian Mission Control

Created: 12.11.2004 15:48 MSK (GMT +3), Updated: 15:48 MSK

MosNews

The International Space Station, with two astronauts aboard, has fallen seven kilometers as a result of a severe magnetic storm, Russian space experts announced. The space station is currently losing altitude three times faster than usual.

The incident has not affected the health of Russian cosmonaut Salizhan Sharipov and U.S. astronaut Leroy Chiao who are working aboard the station, Radio Mayak reported, citing Russia’s Mission Control Center spokesman Valery Lyndin.

“The Earth’s atmosphere has, indeed, become denser as a result of the magnetic storm, creating more resistance at these altitudes, and more braking effect on the station,” Lyndin said on the radio broadcast.

“As a result, over 24 hours, it is losing altitude three times faster than usual, that’s to say about 300 metres [a day] in recent days. But that in no way threatens either the station or the crew. In other words, the flight is continuing as normal.”

He said that a routine maneuver to raise the orbit will be carried out, in order to create the necessary conditions for docking with the Progress re-supply craft, whose launch is planned for the end of December this year.