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The International Space Station is maintained in a near circular orbit with a minimum mean altitude of 278 km (173 mi) and a maximum of 460 km (286 mi). Atmospheric drag gradually slows the station down and it moves closer to earth. The station must be periodically re-boosted. This re-boost can be performed by the station's two main engines on the Zvezda service module, a docked Space Shuttle, a Progress resupply vessel, or by ESA's ATV.

On September 20, 2010, NASA reported that the ISS orbital numbers were:

Perigee 351 km (189 nmi) AMSL

Apogee 360 km (194 nmi) AMSL

Orbital inclination 51.64 degrees

Average speed 7,706.6 m/s (27,743.8 km/h, 17,239.2 mph)

Orbital period 91 minutes

Perigee is the orbit's lowest point and apogee is its highest point. AMSL stands for Above Mean Sea Level. nmi stands for Nautical Miles

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