SpaceX: Space Junk Threat is an Error; No Collision Threat Recorded

SpaceX had launched its voyage on Friday, Apr. 24, but the four astronauts have reportedly reverted to wearing their spacesuits due to an alleged collision that happened which produced space junks.

It was believed that while they are orbiting, there was a threat of the debris that came out due to the incident. However, the US Space Command said on Monday, Apr.26 that the said warning was false since there was no threat and object detected within the location.

SpaceX Junk is Bogus

Currently, the combatant command is now conducting a review regarding the case. Space Command spokeswoman Lt. Col. Erin Dick said that previously, they believed that there was something that collided with the SpaceX capsule on their way to the International Space Station.

In an email, she wrote that they have immediately recognized the report as a false alarm. No collision took place in space since, in the first place, the object that should have collided with the SpaceX was absent.

When she was asked about the additional details concerning the incident, she refused to answer. Instead, Dick stated that they will provide the follow-up details later this week after they have completed the assessment on the situation.

Previously, Daily Mail reported that four astronauts had a close encounter with the space junks. By the time that they are preparing to sleep, an unrecognized object was seen heading their way.

45 minutes before the possible crash, the Johnson Space Center officials said that the 18th Space Control Squadron of the Space Command has tapped NASA.

Moreover, the astronauts have received notifications from NASA and SpaceX in just minutes after they reported the soaring junk floating around the spacecraft.

They responded accordingly by wearing the suits and adjusting their helmet visors. However, they could not manage anymore to control the capsule to change its way.

The 'What If' in the SpaceX's False Collision

Local10 reported that before the flight, there was a practice being carried out by the Japanese, US, and French astronauts on their space voyage.

According to Kelly Humphries, a spokesman from NASA, they are happy to hear the news that it was only a false alarm. Regardless if it was an error, he was glad that they have applied the necessary procedures in case the collision was real.

If the threat has happened, it would have belonged to the list of the worst space collisions that occurred since 1986 when the Challenger exploded in space. The accident has resulted in seven deaths onboard.

On Saturday, Apr. 24, the astronauts riding the Dragon capsule successfully touched down at the space station. In the next six months, they will spend their lives venturing there.

At the moment, the 18th Space Control Squadron is continuously detecting over 32,000 debris in orbit. The majority of them include worn-out satellites and some parts of a spacecraft.

There are reports that the debris could be as small as four inches, but even such a tiny size could have an impact on the capsule when it is traveling at a lightning-fast speed. These pose a huge risk in the space station due to its irregular size.

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Joseph Henry