Erratic Debris a Concern for Space Station, Discovery

By the Associated Press

Posted Mar 16, 2009 2:56 PM CDT

(AP) – NASA kept close tabs today on an old piece of space junk that threatened to come too close to the international space station as the shuttle Discovery raced toward the outpost for a 220-mile-high linkup. Experts initially warned that the debris from a Soviet satellite that broke up in 1981 could veer within a half-mile of the space station. But they later said it appeared that the 4-inch piece of junk might remain at a safe distance.

The debris' erratic orbit kept experts watching closely, though it appears the space station might not have to move out of the way. If Mission Control orders a space station maneuver to dodge the junk, it would be carried out tonight, well ahead of the tomorrow morning's projected docking. If the station were moved, Discovery would have to adjust its course for docking late tomorrow afternoon.

A graphic shows potential hazards for space travelers. (AP Graphic)

Sunlight reflects off the exhaust as the space shuttle Discovery and a seven member crew liftoff at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., last night. (AP Photo)

The space shuttle Discovery and a seven member crew liftoff at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Fla., last night. (AP Photo)

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OTHER STORIES ON OUR RADAR

NASA • International Space Station • space debris • Discovery space shuttle • Discovery

MOST POPULAR STORIES

[ By Views ]

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More Newser Stories

NASA OKs First Private Space Station Trip

SpaceX will send up cargo in February

NASA-Backed 'Space Taxi' to Fly Next Year

Dream Chaser's first test flight scheduled for summer 2012

ISS Captures Southern Lights

Rare footage of Aurora Australis released

So Where Did Satellite Land? NASA May Never Know

Need more exact data to pinpoint where UARS and debris hit the Earth

Space Junk Passes 'Tipping Point'

Report urges NASA to ramp up efforts quickly

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