Space Junk Nearly Hits International Space Station
The International Space Station recently had a very close call. The station was almost hit with orbiting debris from other space craft called “space junk.” The various satellites, other space stations, and space craft that have entered orbit around the Earth has left a fair amount of debris floating around in space. Individuals aboard the ISS legitimately worry about this, as these objects are moving at five miles a second and can very easily punch a hole through the hull of the ISS.
Space Station nearly struck
MSNBC reports that some orbiting debris called “space junk” almost struck the International Space Station. It was nine hours before the astronauts were notified about the six-inch piece of floating metal heading its way was about to hit the space station. It was in the orbit to strike the space station. That did not leave enough time for evasive maneuvers, and the three person crew had to take refuge in the Soyuz capsule they’ll be returning to Earth in. The debris almost struck the space station. It was just a few miles away.
Neglecting to prepare for space junk
Space junk, as the floating cloud of debris around Earth is called, can cause severe threat to anyone in orbit. It is hard to figure out how much stuff is really up there although thousands of pieces are tracked. It is dangerous for space junk to be around as wrecked satellite or spacecraft pieces. They move at five miles per second typically. It would be devastating if it hit the International Space Station. It would kill everyone on board immediately as the air would quickly be sucked out. Occasionally the space station has to be moved. Space.com reports this is due to the debris about to hit it. Space junk caused the station to be moved on April 1, meaning this was the second time in a week the station has nearly been hit. There are several solutions to space junk being considered. This should help the problem.
Golden anniversary
April 12 this year will mark 50 years since the first manned spaceflight. Yuri Gagarin took up the Vostok 1 on April 12, 1961 into space as the first male to get out of Earth’s atmosphere. Next to the Admiralty Arch is the Mall in London. This is where a statue of Gagarin next to explorer Cook could be put up for the occasion. Eventually, Gagarin was chosen to be the first man in space after growing up poor however doing well as a Soviet military pilot. A training accident happened in 1968 when the Soyuz program started. This is when he was killed.
Articles cited
MSNBC
msnbc.msn.com/id/42436198/ns/technology_and_science-space/?GT1=43001
Space.com
space.com/11300-space-junk-station-astronauts-shelter.html
BBC
bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12975006
