">Forum Views ()
">Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Space junk sparks crew scare on ISS
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Search
Search:
Space junk sparks crew scare on ISS
AFP - Friday, March 13
WASHINGTON (AFP) - - The crew of the International Space Station sought refuge in a Soyuz space capsule Thursday amid a threatened close encounter with a debris cloud, highlighting the growing dangers of space junk.
ADVERTISEMENT
The scare arose when the three member crew learned too late to take evasive action of an approaching a cloud of debris that exposed the space station to the risk of a potentially catastrophic collision.
NASA appeared most concerned about a piece of a satellite motor that was close enough to ordinarily have forced the space station to undertake an evasive maneuver.
But Laura Rochon, a NASA spokeswoman at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, had said the risk of collision was "very low."
"The piece itself is about one third of an inch and it's about 4.5 kilometers away," she said.
Americans Mike Fincke, the mission commander, and Sandy Magnus, the number two flight engineer as well as their Russian colleague Yuri Lonchakov, the number one flight engineer, exited the space craft and battened themselves in the Soyuz spacecraft.
NASA said the move was a precaution in case the crew needed to detach from the space station, NASA said.
Crew members had half-locked the Soyuz doors and would have been ready to slam the hatches shut "and quickly depart the station in the unlikely event the debris had collided with the station and caused a depressurization," NASA said.
The all-clear was sounded at 12:45 pm EDT (1645 GMT) about 10 minutes after the crew entered the capsule, the space agency said.
"The debris threat to the International Space Station has passed," NASA said in a statement.
The US Strategic Command notified NASA of the debris field late Wednesday, but NASA said it was too late for flight controllers to coordinate a "debris avoidance" maneuver.
"Every once in a while, the crew has to do orbital debris avoidance maneuvers but this time they didn't do that because we have an upcoming launch possibly on Sunday and they need to stay at the same altitude," Rochon said.
The US Joint Space Operations Center tracks about 18,000 objects in orbit, so many that it has to decide which to follow most closely, like those that might fly by the International Space Station or manned space flights.
Experts estimate that there are more than 300,000 orbital objects measuring between one and 10 centimeters (0.4 and four inches) in diameter and "billions" of smaller pieces.
Traveling at speeds of up to thousands of miles an hour they pose a risk of catastrophic damage to spacecraft.
Last month, a spent Russian satellite collided with an Iridium communications satellite, showering more debris in an orbit 436 kilometers (270 miles) above the space station.
US military trackers failed to anticipate that collision, the first between two intact satellites, the Pentagon said at the time.
The worst debris clouds are in low Earth orbit (LEO), between 800 and 1,500 kilometers (500 and 950 miles) above the Earth, and in geostationary orbit, about 35,000 kilometers (22,000 miles) up.
In January 2007, China tested an anti-satellite weapon, destroying a disused Chinese weather satellite, the Fengyun-1C, creating the largest man-made debris field in history and put 2,378 fragments greater than five centimeters (two inches) in low Earth orbit.
In June 1983, the windscreen of the US space shuttle Challenger had to be replaced after it was chipped by a fleck of paint measuring 0.01 of an inch (0.3 millimeters) that impacted at 2.5 miles (four kilometers) per second.
Some 6,000 satellites have been sent into space since the Soviet Union launched the first man-made orbiter, Sputnik 1, in 1957. About 800 satellites remain in operation, according to STRATCOM.
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Recommend this article
Average (1 vote)
Sign in to recommend this article »
Most Recommended Stories »
Enlarge Photo
NASA handout photo released in 2008 shows the International Space Station. The crew of the International Space Station sought refuge in a Soyuz space capsule Thursday amid a threatened close encounter with a debris cloud, highlighting the growing dangers of space junk.
Most Popular – Top Stories
Viewed
For sale: nagging wife, very high maintenance
Global airlines warn of stormy 2009
Chimp used planning skills to attack humans
Space junk sparks crew scare on ISS
German industrial slump stuns analysts
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Friday, 13 March 2009 Final Gaza toll shows 960 civilians killed: group
| International
|
German warned of barbecue on eve of shootings
| International
|
Apple to preview new iPhone software next week
| Technology
|
Sirius XM to roll out iPhone application
| Technology
|
U.S. phone companies spar over universal fund fix
| Technology
|
Dancing quicksteps towards Idol's ratings crown
| Entertainment
|
Wes Craven on Last House and the lure of horror
| Entertainment
|
Green carpet roll out for The Age of Stupid film
| Entertainment
|
Pakistani lawyers to intensify campaign: leader
| International
|
UN chief to open meeting on Afghanistan's future
Final Gaza toll shows 960 civilians killed: group
| International
|
Warning to US on talks with Taliban: think-tank
South Korea warns North of fresh U.N. action on missile
| International
|
Kidnappers of Sudan aid workers demand ransom
China says willing to meet Dalai Lama's envoys
| International
|
Liechtenstein ruler proposes repatriation amnesty
Former Israeli leader says innocent of sex crimes
International aid workers kidnapped in Sudan's Darfur
| International
|
Space junk sparks crew scare on ISS
Malagasy president urges public to repel rebels
| International
|
Israeli hurt by mine falls to death from chopper
VW reveals race to overtake GM, Toyota
Nationalist rising fast in Israeli politics
For sale: nagging wife, very high maintenance
Netanyahu aide says Obama agrees on Iran, at least
| International
|
Al-Qaida front claims Iraq police academy bombing
Caution needed in any U.S., Taliban talks: ICG
| International
|
Liechtenstein, Andorra, Belgium to ease bank rules
Hamas, in rare move, condemns Gaza rocket fire
Madoff behind bars after pleading guilty to fraud
Doubts arise over threat by German teenage gunman
| International
|
Israeli hiker falls to death from rescue helicopter
Canadian prisoners used nail clippers to escape
| International
|
US jobless claims hit 654,000 in week
Iraqi who threw shoes at Bush jailed for 3 years
Madoff pleads guilty
US retail sales dip 0.1% in February
Bleak data from Asia, Europe ahead of G20 meeting
Climate change effects seen in Antarctic winds
Apple to preview new iPhone software next week
| Technology
|
Scientists warn of 'irreversible' climate shifts
Kremlin loyalist says launched Estonia cyber-attack
| Technology
|
Big spending bill bars US cluster bomb exports
Planning for future must consider climate change
Time Warner names Google's Armstrong as AOL chief
| Technology
|
Mexico extradites ex-Border Patrol agents to US
Global warming to carry big costs for California
American pilot arrested in Venezuela
Google turns voicemail into email
| Technology
|
Google VP named CEO of AOL
UN chief seeks to smooth over 'deadbeat' comment
Foreign Affairs goes online
Suspected US missile strike kills 15 in Pakistan
Time Warner's AOL appoints Google's Armstrong as CEO
Peace Corps worker found dead in west Africa
Sirius XM to roll out iPhone app in second quarter
Iraq court jails Bush shoe-thrower for three years
New Google program turns voicemail into email
German school shooter 'made Internet threat' claim
Seven arrests after Amsterdam 'terrorist' threat
Handcuffed Madoff jailed after admitting fraud
Apple to unveil next-generation iPhone software
U.S. phone companies spar over universal fund fix
Alleged drug kingpin pleads not guilty in Colorado
New coating makes scratches on cars disappear
Video of German gunman's death appears on the Internet
Apple to preview new iPhone software next week
Enel to raise 8 billion euros as net profit jumps
Bangladesh lifts YouTube ban over mutiny row
New Idol' judges veto divides fans
| Entertainment
|
Anna Nicole Smith's ex-companion, doctors charged
| Entertainment
|
Chinese rights leader's family 'defects to US'
Pakistani police stop opposition protest convoy
Japan orders navy dispatch for anti-piracy mission
Witch Mountain challenging Watchmen
| Entertainment
|
Obama calls for more military talks with China
Obama and China's Yang discuss global economic crisis
Aussie politician proves he's still a rock star
| Entertainment
|
News Corp restructures Fox businesses
| Entertainment
|
US destroyers to escort ships in South China Sea
Chris Cornell's dance album dismays rock fans
| Entertainment
|
Obama calls for measures to stop China Sea clashes
New Yorkers shown despair of Baghdad in new play
| Entertainment
|
North Korea rocket launch plan seen as threat to peace
EU lawmakers urge China to discuss real autonomy with Tibet
Official: US ship in scrape now has armed escort
Premier says China ready with new stimulus package
Taiwan dollar above 3-week high on foreign funds
LG shares up on brokerage note, CEO comments
Korea Hot Stocks
Philanthropist Leonore Annenberg dies at 91
Seoul shares open up after U.S. rise;techs gain
Roberto Bolano's `2666' wins book critics prize
NZ retail sales fall in January, more rate cuts
"Witch Mountain" challenging "Watchmen"
RPT- Q+A
Reeves: Jay Leno may consider 2nd show in Detroit
US, China to cooperate 'closely and urgently'
Angola wins new billion-dollar loan from China
Baltimore Opera pursuing chapter 7, dissolution
Iraq, China open major oil field
Indonesia's president falls ill during trip: spokesman
More Michael Jackson concert dates announced
Rival Indonesia party chiefs meet ahead of polls
NYC's Metropolitan Museum to layoff 74 more people
'Buddha Bar' pressured to close in Indonesia
Champagne advocates protest mislabeling
Indonesian president's party ahead in polls
Little Mermaid bound for China after vote
Marvel delays "Thor," "Avengers"
Sudan says it has located kidnapped aid workers
Hamas, Fatah differ over new government peace commitment
| International
|
Toll in 'US' missile strike in Pakistan hits 18
Austria says smashes international child porn ring
| International
|
Israelis support captured soldier's family
Pakistan Taliban say 24 dead in U.S. missile strikes
| International
|
US still skeptical about global warming: survey
Litvinenko suspect may run for mayor of Olympic city
| International
|
Obama's arrival shifts US view of IMF
U.N. rights chief points to war crimes in Sri Lanka
| International
|
Britain sees two-tier G20: report
Former Northern Ireland foes grieve at policeman's funeral
| International
|
South African gangs use rape to cure lesbians
| International
|
US still skeptical about global warming: survey
Coating makes scratches on cars disappear
| Technology
|
Turkish trip intensifies dilemma for Obama
Google to target ads based on online activity
| Technology
|
Obama calls for measures to stop China Sea clashes
Officials: Obama close to stating new Afghan goals
Online networking more popular than email
| Technology
|
World Wide Web feels its growing pains
Alabama gunman wrote about killing mom: officials
India's Satyam board meets to discuss takeover
US holds back aid to Nicaragua for 3 more months
Kremlin loyalist says launched Estonia cyber-attack
Canadian chopper crashes in Atlantic with 18 aboard
US military deaths in Iraq war at 4,257
Jackson's 50-gig London UK run sells out
| Entertainment
|
Pakistan: Opposition should seek reconciliation
Fire at Bangladesh's largest mall kills 1
S.Korea warns Pyongyang against rocket launch
Myanmar PM to visit Indonesia, Singapore
Vietnam protests Philippine territorial law
Stewart, Cramer square off over market meltdown
| Entertainment
|
Vietnam to launch 300 mln dlr bond sale
Japan joins Somalia anti-piracy mission
Japan factory output dives record 10.2 pct
UN warns of humanitarian crimes in Sri Lanka
Japan hybrid price war looms: report
Dissident lawyer's family flees China to US asylum
Next Malaysia PM's wife says his destiny to lead
Chris Cornell's dance album dismays rock fans
| Entertainment
|
Oil prices down in Asian trade
17 injured in fire at Bangladesh's largest mall
Witch brews nice blend of action, sci-fi, laughs
| Entertainment
|
Arroyo signs anti-recession Philippines budget
Jackson's 50-gig London UK run sells out
Malaysia plans new budget airline terminal by 2011
Phelps talks to NBC about marijuana pipe photo
Satyam board discussing takeover bids: spokeswoman
Michelle Obama begins advocacy as first lady
Japan's Nikkei jumps 5 percent on stimulus hopes
Michael Jackson comeback tickets sell out in hours
Japan PM calls for new economic stimulus package
'Brothers at War' opens in military communities
Contempt conviction of 'Peanuts' actress is voided
The revival of soul, 50 years after Motown
Stewart, Cramer square off over market meltdown
Asian police warn of more scams during crisis
Jennifer Aniston and John Mayer end relationship
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights