When launched on in 1998, the International Space Station (ISS) ushered in a new era of outer space research. Constructed as a massive research laboratory for everything from physiology, to microbiology, to more abstract fields like astrology and quantum physics, the ISS is a crucial piece of infrastructure in our nation’s scientific arena.

As a piece of a dismembered Russian satellite spiraled towards the ISS earlier this week, many feared that the ISS along with the large population of crew members would meet their collective end. While the piece of debris was only about 6 square inches and was supposed to fly within 4 kilometers of the ISS at over 3,000 kilometers per hour, it was too close of a call to take lightly.

For years scientists and astronomers have been looking into ways to deal with space debris, mainly debris of this nature that is too small for radar to detect but causes no less peril for the ISS. Many believe that laser technology will eventually be used for this, but that is still roughly 20 years away. Until then, the only way to deal with these threats is to physically change the location and position of the ISS.

A vehicle called the Georges Lemaitre Automated Transfer Vehicle 5 (ATV-5) is used to bring supplies and fuel to the ISS. In its last delivery mission, engineers determined that the ATV-5 had enough fuel to extend its trip and effectively move the ISS. ATV-5 was able to connect to the ISS and boost the station’s height in the atmosphere by 1 km, eliminating the threat of the Russian satellite debris.