-- Click for more news in Tech Max >>

The crew took precautionary measures due to space debris that has been determined to be within the range where a collision is possible. News of the close approach came too late for flight controllers to coordinate an avoidance maneuver.

Crew members entered their Soyuz TMA-13 capsule and soft-locking the hatches, in case the debris should affect the space station and they are required to undock. The closure of the hatches ensures the safety of the crew and the ability to quickly depart the station in the unlikely event the debris collided with the station causing a depressurization.

The time of closest approach of the debris to the station is 12:39 p.m. EDT (1639 GMT). The debris was about one-third of an inch in width.




-- Click for more news in Tech Max >>

 

Editor:Yang Jie