The station, now circling at a height of 342km, needs a regular re-boost to keep it from falling back to Earth.

BBC: Freighter boosts altitude of ISS

The ATV is also used to drive the 400-tonne orbital complex higher into the sky to stop it falling back to Earth.

BBC: European tech could propel Nasa's Orion capsule

Now, however, once high-flying neighbors are falling back to earth.

FORBES: North Asia Is Following The Eurozone Down

Despite valiant efforts by Roscosmos and other space agencies, the Russian probe Phobos-Grunt will be falling back to Earth over the weekend, most likely on Sunday night, according to projections by the Center for Orbital and Reentry Debris Studies at the Aerospace Corporation.

FORBES: Failed Russian Probe Phobos-Grunt Will Fall To Earth This Weekend