Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hail of Debris Forces Space Station Evacuation

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 12, 2009 12:20 PM CDT
Email

(Newser) – Fearing a strike by orbiting space junk, the three astronauts on the International Space Station evacuated to an attached capsule this morning, the Houston Chronicle reports. Though the chance of impact was slight, the debris—a 4-inch piece of an old rocket—could have caused major damage to the station. The astronauts returned safely minutes after the item passed within 3 miles.

An artist's impression of catalogued objects in low-Earth orbit.
An artist's impression of catalogued objects in low-Earth orbit.   (AP Photo)
Damage on the underside of Space Shuttle Endeavour.
Damage on the underside of Space Shuttle Endeavour.   (AP Photo)
An Expedition 18 member participates in a spacewalk to perform maintenance on the International Space Station.
An Expedition 18 member participates in a spacewalk to perform maintenance on the International Space Station.   (AP Photo)
The Russian segment of the International Space Station.
The Russian segment of the International Space Station.   (AP Photo)
A Russian-made Proton-U rocket booster with cargo bound for the ISS.
A Russian-made Proton-U rocket booster with cargo bound for the ISS.   (AP Photo)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
riffran
Mar 13, 2009 2:37 AM CDT
ahhhh but imagine it as the next job market, the orbital version of a street sweeper....hmmm...really big nets made out of spectra...lol.....or maybe a magneto/plasma envelope capable of grabbing the debris....and bringing it in safely....a tractor beam...a.....ect. ect...engage!..lol
Guest
Mar 12, 2009 3:42 AM CDT
We can fix ourselves with a different point of view: as caretakers and guardians, instead of as conquerors. Unfortunately, we're still in the conquest frame of mind.
Guest
Mar 12, 2009 3:41 AM CDT
And so we learn humans do not want reason and thought.

 
astronauts • evacuation • International Space Station • space debris • Soyuz • outer space • Earth orbit

More Newser Stories

World's Biggest Plane to Rocket People into Space

Capsule Returns 3 to Earth

Take a Trip Out of This World

You Can Orbit Earth, Thanks to Teacher

Space Junk Passes 'Tipping Point'
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne