Lost in space: $100,000 tool bag from NASA spacewalk

GPS News

Lost in space: $100,000 tool bag from NASA spacewalk

This photograph taken by a Japanese astronaut aboard the ISS shows the lost tool bag over Earth. (Japanese Aerospace Exploration Agency/NASA)

Lost in space: $100,000 tool bag from NASA spacewalk
by Clyde Hughes
Washington DC (UPI) Nov 13, 2023

Every construction worker who ever accidentally left their tools at their worksite now has something in common with NASA astronauts, who lost a tool bag worth $100,000 during a spacewalk on Nov. 1, the space agency announced.

The white satchel, which can now be seen orbiting the Earth with a telescope or a good pair of binoculars, is hovering about 200 miles above the planet. The bag eluded astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O'Hara during a maintenance spacewalk on the International Space Station.

The astronomy website EarthSky said the tool bag, which is orbiting in the sky just ahead of the space station, is shining just below the limit of visibility to the unaided eye, where it could be seen with minimal help.

For those worried about the tools falling on someone's head on Earth, experts said there is no chance of that happening. The tool bag is expected to remain in orbit for a few more months, where it is expected to descend and promptly disintegrate in Earth's atmosphere.

The tool bag should meet its fiery fate around March, according to EarthSky.

In the meantime, the tool bag has been officially cataloged as space junk ID 58229 / 1998-067WC. It was seen Sunday by Japanese astronaut Satoshi Furukawa floating over Mount Fuji.

Related Links
Space Tourism, Space Transport and Space Exploration News

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters

RELATED CONTENT

The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.

Collaborating with Public Innovators to Accelerate Space Exploration
Washington DC (SPX) Nov 08, 2023
With the successful launch and landing of Artemis I in 2022, NASA set the stage for a new era of space exploration. Together, NASA and its partners will lead humanity to the Moon and prepare for the next giant leap: human exploration of Mars. To address the multitude of challenges that come with planning for this new era, NASA is calling on individuals and teams from the public to develop new and innovative approaches. Some of the topics addressed through NASA-sponsored contests, challenges, and c ... read more

Brussels extends use of controversial herbicide

China's animal lovers fight illegal cat meat trade

French oyster farmers race to recover from storm

Myanmar's famed Inle Lake chokes on floating farms

Alibaba cancels cloud service spinoff over US chip restrictions

First 2D semiconductor with 1000 transistors developed at EPFL Switzerland

Atomic dance gives rise to a magnet

TU Delft researchers discover new ultra strong material for microchip sensors

Japan PM voices 'serious concerns' to Xi on Chinese military activity, Russia collaboration

Next-Gen Propulsion: Key to U.S. Air Dominance and Tactical Air Warfare

NATO to modernise surveillance jets in face of Russia threat

NASA C-130 makes first-ever flight to Antarctica for GUSTO balloon mission

Amazon to sell new cars next year in US, starting with Hyundai

Deep decarbonization scenarios reveal importance of accelerating zero-emission vehicle adoption

Electric heavy lorries poised to overtake hydrogen trucks

Paris says to call vote on heavy SUV parking fee hike

Japan PM tells Xi of 'serious concerns' in first talks in a year

Tanking Alibaba drags Hong Kong as markets rally fades

China ready to be 'partner and friend' of US: Xi

Nicaraguan congress ratifies free-trade pact with China

Lightning identified as the leading cause of wildfires in boreal forests, threatening carbon storage

Kenyans brave heavy rain to plant trees

Forests could absorb much more carbon, but does it matter?

Deforestation in Brazilian Amazon down 22% in a year

TRISAT-R CubeSat: A Glimpse of Earth through the Eye of a Coin-Sized Camera

EagleView Unveils Developer Portal to Enhance Geospatial Intelligence Integration

NASA maps minerals and ecosystem function across US southwest

China releases methane control plan with no reduction target

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters

The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.