On 3 September, SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft successfully carried out a test burn to demonstrate its new ability to adjust the altitude of the International Space Station. The maneuver, which lasted five minutes and three seconds, was powered by two Draco engines located in Dragon’s trunk section. This trunk houses an independent propellant system designed specifically for such reboost operations.
The test burn raised the space station’s orbit by nearly one mile at its lowest point, placing it in a new orbit of 260.9 by 256.3 miles. This marks the first step in a series of planned burns through the coming months that will help sustain the station’s altitude and reduce reliance on other spacecraft for reboost operations.
The Dragon currently docked at the station is part of the 33rd commercial resupply mission. It arrived at the orbiting laboratory on 25 August carrying research and cargo. The spacecraft is expected to remain attached until late December or early January, when it will return to Earth with experiment results and supplies, splashing down off the coast of California.
The newly installed boost capability represents a significant upgrade for Dragon, adding to its existing role of transporting cargo to and from the station. Regular altitude adjustments are essential to counter the effects of atmospheric drag that gradually lowers the orbit of the International Space Station. With Dragon’s upgraded system, these reboosts can now be performed more efficiently and more frequently.
The success of the initial test highlights Dragon’s growing importance in supporting the long-term operations of the station. Longer burns are planned later this year to further demonstrate the system’s performance and reliability.
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