The International Space Station Avoids Hitting Space Junk

Even in Earth's orbit we suffer from the problem of pollution. Through the years books have been published, and even some of the movies picture some of the garbage. Sometimes this garbage can damage some of our equipment in space.

Mission Control told astronauts this morning to fire The International Space Station's engines to dodge a softball-sized piece of space junk. It will be only the 13th time since 1998 that the station has had to move out of the way of debris. In space, debris travels at such high speed in orbit that it could cause a deadly puncture to the space station. The last time the station moved was back in September. In June, astronauts had to take shelter in the escape capsule as debris flew by.

Here's a cool video of what it's like to fly over Earth on the I.S.S.

[via MSNBC]