Lost Tool Bag: Space Junk in Orbit

During a walk-in space, an astronaut makes it look easy. During these outings, such as on the International Space Station (ISS), they use many tools. Sometimes these tools and their bags get loose from their tethers.

Astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegria Works on Constructing the International Space StationPhoto byNASA

A recent image taken by the Virtual Telescope Project spotted a glowing object. It turned out to be a lost tool bag from the International Space Station. This bag was lost during a November 1, 2023, spacewalk.

The IIS crew tool bag seen as a bright spotPhoto byGianluca Masi, Virtual Telescope Project, virtualtelescope.eu,

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November 1^st Expedition 70 Flight Engineers Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara embarked on the EVA-89 spacewalk to work on a solar array. During this work a tool bag got loose and floated away. That tool bag is now orbiting the Earth.

Since its departure from the IIS, Earth bound telescope enthusiasts have been searching for the bag. On November 15, 2023, it was located zipping by in its travels.

Expedition 70 Flight Engineers Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’HaraPhoto byNASA

The Virutal Telescope image shows star trails in the background and what looks like a bright star in the foreground. Which is the infamous orbiting bag.

On November 5, 2023, Dr. Meganne Christian posted on the “X” social media platform, a video showing the moment the bag was lost. She also refers to the bag as the “crew lock bag” and the orbiting bag is now being cataloged as 58229 / 1998-067WC.

The bag is officially the newest member of space junk that orbits the Earth. According to NASA, the trajectory of hitting the IIS is low.

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The lost bag references

• Virtual Telescope: https://www.virtualtelescope.eu/2023/11/15/the-iss-crew-lock-bag-an-image-15-nov-2023/
• Space.com: https://www.space.com/international-space-station-spacewalk-lost-tool-bag-photo?utm_term=4B345BA4-46D3-4B0C-969C-C31C6A2626BE&lrh=1b1336448cc454927c141a0206741dff682b7ec8a8bae3991e6095a9eb8d7e81&utm_campaign=58E4DE65-C57F-4CD3-9A5A-609994E2C5A9&utm_medium=email&utm_content=6C902654-EB8F-486D-8C3C-124E817D1C41&utm_source=SmartBrief

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