Object Floating Outside Station Isn't a Threat | Universe Today

Written by Fraser Cain

While looking out the window of the International Space Station last Thursday, astronaut Ed Lu noticed a small object floating in space which he described as a rectangular piece of metal about 5 cm long. Fortunately he had a camera handy and snapped a picture so NASA could figure out what had gotten loose from the station. The current theory is that it's an identification tag from an external power or data cable. NASA officials say it poses no threat to the station because its low relative velocity.

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