Russian Progress Craft Weighs International Space Station in Orbit
Posted on: Friday, 20 August 2004, 06:00 CDT
Text of report by Russian Mayak radio on 20 August
The Progress cargo spacecraft raised the International Space Station (ISS) and weighed it in the orbit for the first time. The engines were turned on for 315 seconds and as they were running the station climbed to the altitude of 4 km and reached the maximum orbit of 381 km.
The Progress also acted as space scales. It is known that an approximate weight of the ISS is some 183 t. However, to the accuracy of a kilogram its mass is not known, as the station is constantly being refuelled, various cargo is being delivered and taken away from it and accumulated waste and used equipment are disposed of into the Pacific Ocean.
It is necessary to know the ISS' exact mass in order to use the fuel more efficiently for its orientation, mission control centre has said.
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