Astronauts accidentally drop tool bag during ISS spacewalk

[pixy0stix]

www.cnn.com/2023/11/13/world/astronauts-drop-tool-bag-iss-spacewalk-intl-scn-scli/index.html

[pixy0stix]

This is one of those fluff articles that really make my brain hurt thinking about how large space is, how much damage could have been done by a misplaced tool bag (but ultimately it was no big deal), that we could see the tool bag if we used binoculars... and on and on and on...

[heyyounotyouyou]

It’s crazy that the tools would even last that long in space. I would think (though I’m far from being an expert) that they would disintegrate in the atmosphere much faster.

Also, space stuff makes my head hurt so I try not to think to much about it lol.

[Deleted]

I’m kind of mad that they took a fairly noteworthy spacewalk of two women, and turned it into a”teehee, they lost the tools!” I wonder how many male astronauts have lost tools and didn’t get stories written up about them.

[gretchenindisguise]

Nov 13, 2023 12:27:46 GMT -5 @villainv said:

I’m kind of mad that they took a fairly noteworthy spacewalk of two women, and turned it into a”teehee, they lost the tools!” I wonder how many male astronauts have lost tools and didn’t get stories written up about them.

This is interesting - now I want to know the answer to this. Is it unusual or is it common?

But also I want to go see it now with binoculars: "According to EarthSky, a website tracking cosmic events, the tool bag is currently orbiting Earth ahead of the ISS, and can potentially be spotted from Earth with a pair of binoculars during the next few months until it disintegrates in our planet’s atmosphere."

[icedcoffee]

Space also makes my brain hurt. So crazy to think there's so much stuff out there.

Also--look how stylish those astronaut suits are!! Such a long way from the ones I saw on display at the Air and Space museum lol

[pixy0stix]

Google has your answer to the space debris question, if you want to look and share. You don't have to wonder.

As for why it's news, it's a $100k tool bag that could have caused major damage to the space station. They're lucky it's on a non-collision course and it's being downplayed as an oops.

[heyyounotyouyou]

Nov 13, 2023 12:27:46 GMT -5 @villainv said:

I’m kind of mad that they took a fairly noteworthy spacewalk of two women, and turned it into a”teehee, they lost the tools!” I wonder how many male astronauts have lost tools and didn’t get stories written up about them.

This was my first reaction but in the article it also talks about a couple of other lost tools situations and those had men’s names attached to it. 

[AJL]

Please let Mission Control (or whoever back on earth) have replied “Way to go, butterfingers!” when they found that the tool bag got dropped.

[AJL]

Nov 13, 2023 12:23:08 GMT -5 heyyounotyouyou said:

It’s crazy that the tools would even last that long in space. I would think (though I’m far from being an expert) that they would disintegrate in the atmosphere much faster.

Also, space stuff makes my head hurt so I try not to think to much about it lol.

There is no atmosphere in space. If they somehow manage to fall from orbit and re-enter into earth’s atmosphere, then the speed at which they are being pulled in because of gravity would like cause damage due to the friction with the atmosphere. But just floating out in space? Nah. Those tools are going to be intact for a long time. Until they come in contact with other space objects or debris.

[sillygoosegirl]

I thought the tools were all on tethers, and the container as well. Because otherwise OF COURSE this is going to happen.

[underwaterrhymes]

My brain is completely unable to comprehend the vastness of space. Event Horizon remains the scariest movie I’ve ever seen.

[SusanBAnthony]

Nov 13, 2023 16:51:38 GMT -5 sillygoosegirl said:

I thought the tools were all on tethers, and the container as well. Because otherwise OF COURSE this is going to happen.

Same.... I am confused! Wouldn't you error proof the shit out of that like you do everything else in space?

[Michelle]

Nov 13, 2023 19:03:52 GMT -5 SusanBAnthony said:

Nov 13, 2023 16:51:38 GMT -5 sillygoosegirl said:

I thought the tools were all on tethers, and the container as well. Because otherwise OF COURSE this is going to happen.

Same.... I am confused! Wouldn't you error proof the shit out of that like you do everything else in space?

I would... especially during that time of month. I become seriously clumsy and drop everything during that time of the month. I dropped my curling iron this last cycle and burned my ear to a crisp. yowch.

Of course... i also wouldn't be selected as an astronaut for many (probably many many) reasons...

[pixy0stix]

Nov 13, 2023 18:44:05 GMT -5 underwaterrhymes said:

My brain is completely unable to comprehend the vastness of space. Event Horizon remains the scariest movie I’ve ever seen.

I wrote a paper in college in Event Horizon, lol! The course was "the gothic in lit and film." /random

[dancingirl21]

@@@@

My DS2 is completely obsessed with space. He’s 7 and knows an absurd amount of information about the topic. We have read so many books together and I’m especially freaked out by black holes. They just pull anything near them in. The vastness of space is also something my mind really can’t comprehend.