Astronauts Lose $100,000 Tool Bag in Space

NASA astronauts inadvertently joined the ranks of construction workers who’ve left their tools at work when a tool bag worth $100,000 went missing during a spacewalk on November 1, according to an announcement by the space agency.

A Spectacle in the Sky

The misplaced white satchel, which is visible from Earth with a telescope or a good pair of binoculars, is currently orbiting the planet approximately 200 miles above the surface. Astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli and Loral O’Hara lost the bag during a maintenance spacewalk on the International Space Station. The tool bag, orbiting just ahead of the space station, shines just below the limit of visibility to the unaided eye, according to the astronomy website EarthSky.

No Cause for Alarm

Despite its lofty position, there is no risk of the tool bag striking anyone on Earth. Experts assure that the bag, which is expected to remain in orbit for a few more months, will descend and disintegrate in Earth’s atmosphere. As per the predictions by EarthSky, the tool bag will meet its fiery end around March.

Cataloged as Space Junk

In the interim, the tool bag has been officially designated as space junk, registered under the ID 58229 / 1998-067WC. The bag was spotted over Mount Fuji by Japanese astronaut Satoshi Furukawa on Sunday. This incident underscores the challenges of working in space and the growing issue of space debris.