In an unexpected turn of events during a recent spacewalk, a tool bag belonging to a NASA astronaut has become a satellite as it orbits Earth. The white satchel, valued at $100,000, was initially used for crucial tasks aboard the International Space Station (ISS) but became untethered during the astronaut’s maintenance walk.
NASA astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara were performing maintenance work outside the International Space Station earlier this month when they lost their grip on a bag of tools.
The tool bag, now in a solo orbit approximately 200 miles above the Earth’s surface, is visible to observers in the United Kingdom and can be tracked using telescopes or binoculars.
NASA officials have confirmed that while the tool bag’s unexpected journey raises concerns about space debris, it poses no immediate threat to the ISS or other satellites in orbit. The agency is actively monitoring the bag’s trajectory and predicts that it will remain in orbit for several months.
The tool bag’s journey serves as a reminder of the complexities of space missions, where even the most carefully planned tasks can encounter unexpected hurdles. Although the tool bag is expected to disintegrate in Earth’s atmosphere eventually, its temporary orbital sojourn has captivated space enthusiasts and astronomers alike.
While NASA continues to investigate the incident and enhance safety measures for future spacewalks, the tool bag’s unplanned voyage has sparked discussions about the challenges faced by astronauts in the unique environment of space.
The bag has been classified as space junk and given the ID number 58229/ 1998-067WC.
This is not the first instance of astronauts having lost gear. In 1965, NASA astronaut Ed White lost a spare glove while becoming the first American to perform a spacewalk. In 2008, NASA astronaut Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper also lost a tool bag, and in 2017, two NASA astronauts lost a piece of thermal shielding while carrying out repairs.
