Technology
Nasa warns ISS over debris ‘headed towards spacecraft’ NOW and readies evasive manoeuvre
NASA has warned the ISS over possible debris risk to the space station.
Flight controllers say a piece of rocket may pass very close to the ISS today – potentially forcing an evasive manoeuvre.
NasaNasa may be forced to conduct an evasive manoeuvre with the ISS[/caption]
NasaThis image shows a Pegasus rocket – debris from a similar rocket is expected to pass close by the ISS on Friday, December 3[/caption]
The debris is part of an old Pegasus rocket that was launched by the US in 1994.
According to Nasa, the breakup of this rocket’s upper stage took place on June 3, 1996.
Nasa says it is examining the “potential risk” of this debris.
“Mission Control is working with Nasa’s international partners to prepare for a possible debris avoidance manoeuvre,” said Nasa.
“The Expedition 66 crew is not in any additional danger.”
The debris, now known as Object 39915, is expected to make its closest pass at around 5.30am EST – or 10.30am UK time.
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This is the latest in a series of events sparking growing concern over space debris.
Billionaire Elon Musk has come under fire for placing too many satellites in orbit, which experts have warned increases collision risks.
And just last month, the ISS crew was forced to take shelter from space debris.
One of the big fears over space debris is something called Kessler Syndrome.
Kessler Syndrome is a concept thought up by the Nasa scientist Donald J. Kessler.
It refers to the idea that a chain reaction of exploding space debris could create so much space junk in the Low Earth Orbit that we’d be trapped on Earth.
It could also mean we wouldn’t have the use of satellites because they’d be broken up during the collisions.
The theory is based on the fact that there are already millions of micrometeoroids orbiting Earth, along with all the new manmade items we’re putting up there.
A piece of tiny space rock colliding at speed could cause a dynamite amount of damage.
This could then trigger a chain reaction of exploding space junk, leaving Earth’s orbit full of fragmented pieces of satellites and space debris.
Services like GPS and television rely on satellites so Kessler Syndrome could change people’s lives forever.
Once a space debris explosion reaction starts it could take tens of years before it ends.
This could ruin safe space travel.
Science Photo Library/ CorbisThis is an artist’s illustration of what Kessler Syndrome could look like[/caption]
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