Space Debris Threatens Space Station
NASA alerts International Space Station crew of nearing Russian Cosmos space debris that might force astronauts to sleep in Soyuz module. NASA informed the crew of the ISS (International Space Station) that the spacecraft could be menaced Nov. 6 by a piece of Russian Cosmos space debris. The time of closest approach is 10:48 p.m. EST.
NASA said the timing of available tracking data has made it too late to do a maneuver, but better tracking data will be available later on Nov. 6. When the data becomes available, options to have the crew sleep in Soyuz module will be discussed.
Mission Control Center in Houston contacted ISS Commander Frank De Winne at 10:04 a.m. informing him of the possible hit, as well as the effort to more accurately determine the path of the orbiting space junk.
