An Astronaut Dropped a Tool Bag During a Spacewalk Earlier This Month
A NASA astronaut accidentally let go of a tool bag in space while conducting repairs on the International Space Station (ISS) earlier this month. This is not the first time astronauts have accidentally released items into the abyss of space. Let's take a look at the breakdown of what happened each time.
On November 2, NASA astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O'Hara were conducting repairs on the ISS when one of them accidentally let go of a tool bag they had been using. The bag drifted off into space, but flight controllers later spotted it on external station cameras. Fortunately, its trajectory posed no risk to the space station or the crew. The bag is expected to drift ahead of the space station for a few months before eventually burning up in Earth's atmosphere.
NASA Astronauts Lost a Crucial Piece of Equipment in Space in 2017
In 2017, astronauts Peggy Whitson and Shane Kimbrough lost an item they needed to complete their work on the ISS. They accidentally let go of a bag containing a fabric debris shield meant to cover up an access point. This presented a challenge for Mission Control back on Earth, as they had to quickly find another solution to protect the access point. Fortunately, they were able to scrape together a substitute using other materials.
A NASA Astronaut Lost a Bag Worth $100,000 in 2008 While Trying to Clean Up a Leak
In 2008, NASA astronaut Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper lost a bag worth $100,000 while trying to clean up a leak outside the ISS. The 30-pound bag contained a grease gun that had started to leak. As Stefanyshyn-Piper attempted to clean up the mess, the bag slipped out of her grasp. She considered jumping and grabbing the bag, but realized it would only make things worse. So, she made the difficult decision to let it go.
The First American Spacewalker Lost a Glove in Space in 1965
Even in the early days of space exploration, losing items in space was not uncommon. The first American spacewalker, Ed White, lost a glove during his first spacewalk in 1965. While floating outside the Gemini 4 spacecraft, one of his spare gloves floated out and off into space. This historic moment was captured on video by NASA.
And It's Not Just NASA – A Russian Cosmonaut Tossed a Tool Bag Into Space on Purpose
In May of this year, Russian cosmonauts Sergey Prokopyev and Dmitri Petelin were conducting a spacewalk outside the ISS. During the spacewalk, Prokopyev intentionally threw an 11-pound bag of leftover equipment into space, commenting, "It flies beautifully." While some criticized Prokopyev for littering, the ISS later reassured everyone that the bag would harmlessly burn up in Earth's atmosphere.
Despite the best efforts of astronauts and ground control, accidents happen in space. Whether it's a lost tool bag or a floating glove, these incidents serve as a reminder of the challenges and risks involved in exploring the vast expanse beyond our planet. Fortunately, with careful planning and problem-solving, astronauts and their teams can overcome these obstacles and continue their important work in space.
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By: ggoodwin@businessinsider.com (Grace Eliza Goodwin)
Title: 4 Times NASA Astronauts Lost Things in Space
Sourced From: www.businessinsider.com/nasa-astronauts-lost-items-in-space-dropped-bag-2023-11
Published Date: Sat, 11 Nov 2023 10:22:01 +0000
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