Due to its rapidly decaying orbit, the tool kit lost last week by astronauts working on the International Space Station is expected to reenter the earth’s atmosphere, and likely disintegrate harmlessly miles above the earth.
NASA officials do not know the tool bag’s exact trajectory, nor to they have an accurate prediction of when or where the kit will come down, stating in a press release that it will probably reenter “within a few days…give or take a bit.”
The $100,000 tool kit was lost in space when an astronaut engaged in EVA (extra-vehicular activity) accidentally let go of it while cleaning windows outside the space station. The bag contains several key tools, including screwdrivers (both phillips and slot), set of metric socket wrenches and ratchet, squeegee, flashlight, a Dremel tool, and a $50 Home Depot gift card.
While NASA scientists insist that the bag and its contents will burn up high above the earth, others are taking precautions.
“It might be prudent to stay inside for a few days until this issue clears up,” warned Herman Kreitzer, a mathematics and aeronautical engineering professor at M.I.T. “If you must venture out, you might want to wear a helmet or something, just in case. You really don’t want to have a flaming hot wrench coming down on your head at 17,000 miles per hour. That could ruin your day.”















