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Junk We've Lost in Outer Space
By Harry Kimball
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Posted Feb 15, 09 7:30 PM CST
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(Newser)
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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.