SpaceX Dragon cargo capsule boosts ISS higher above Earth in key test

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SpaceX’s Dragon cargo spacecraft successfully finished a test reboost of the International Space Station (ISS) on Wednesday (Sept. 3), according to NASA. The freighter fired two of its Draco engines for 5 minutes and 3 seconds during the maneuver, agency officials wrote in a Wednesday statement.

The ISS orbits roughly 250 miles (400 kilometers) above Earth on average but naturally falls back to our planet due to atmospheric drag. (There isn't much atmosphere up that high, but the few stray molecules make a difference over time.) Visiting cargo spacecraft therefore take on the job of lifting the orbiting complex higher every few months.

This job has historically been done primarily by Russian Progress spacecraft, but Russia may withdraw from the ISS program as soon as 2028. (The ISS is expected to keep operating until late 2030 or early 2031.)

https://www.space.com/space-exploration/international-space-station/spacex-dragon-cargo-capsule-boosts-iss-higher-above-earth-in-key-test