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Junk We've Lost in Outer Space

By Harry Kimball, Newser Staff

Posted Feb 15, 2009 7:30 PM CST

(Newser) – In the wake of two satellites colliding this week—and debris apparently falling on several states—Wired runs down a list of objects we've lost in outer space:

A spatula: Used to apply heat-shield repair goo, the implement's loss was a blow to one astronaut. "That was my favorite spatch," he said. "Don’t tell the other spatulas."
The $100,000 toolbag: This costly 2008 mistake still orbits, and can be tracked online.

1,400 lbs of ammonia: The International Space Station once used the chemical for AC, but an upgrade made it unnecessary, and NASA tossed it. Heard about recycling?
Gene Rodenberry's remains: The Star Trek creator's ashes orbited in a lipstick-sized container before burning up in 1992.
Urine: Before filtration arrived on the ISS, waste was ejected. Astronauts described its crystallization as one of the more beautiful sights in space.

For more space losses, click the link below.

Man, these astronauts are clumsy. (AP Photo)

The famous tool bag. (AP Photo)

An artist's rendering of cataloged objects in low-Earth orbit. (AP Photo)

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NASA-Backed 'Space Taxi' to Fly Next Year

Dream Chaser's first test flight scheduled for summer 2012

Space Station Will Plunge Into Pacific After 2020

Station won't be left to become space junk

'Space Fence' to Track Cosmic Junk

Near misses underscore need for new system

ISS Crew Dodges Space Debris

Six international astronauts sent into pods for safety

Stinging Eye Almost Derails Spacewalk

Astronaut Andrew Feustel has an eye irritation ... 220 miles up

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

trash • International Space Station • space travel • spacewalk • orbit • space debris • detritus • tool bag

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

[ By Comments ]

More Newser Stories

NASA-Backed 'Space Taxi' to Fly Next Year

Dream Chaser's first test flight scheduled for summer 2012

Space Station Will Plunge Into Pacific After 2020

Station won't be left to become space junk

'Space Fence' to Track Cosmic Junk

Near misses underscore need for new system

ISS Crew Dodges Space Debris

Six international astronauts sent into pods for safety

Stinging Eye Almost Derails Spacewalk

Astronaut Andrew Feustel has an eye irritation ... 220 miles up

About Us

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Newser By Users

Community

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What is Newser?