The Russian Mission Control Center (MCC) on Wednesday announced it had adjusted the orbit of the International Space Station (ISS) by raising it 4.2 kilometers higher, to create best conditions for next docking.

"The maneuver was carried out to ensure the best conditions for the docking of (Russia's) Progress M-09M space freighter and the ( U.S.) Discovery shuttle," a spokesman of the MCC told local media.

The ISS was maneuvered to an orbit 352.9 kilometers high by the engines of the Russian Progress M-07M, which was currently docking with the station's Zvezda module, the spokesman added.

Corrections to the space station's orbit are conducted periodically before launches of Russian cargo ships and U.S. shuttles to compensate for the Earth's gravity and to safeguard successful dockings.

According to the local media, Russia's Progress M-09M space freighter is scheduled to launch on Jan. 28, while the Discovery shuttle is expected to depart for the ISS on Feb. 3, 2011.

VietNamNet/Xinhuanet