Space station dodges Chinese space junk
The International Space Station is out of harm's way after flying higher to avoid space junk.
Flight controllers raised the space station's orbit by a mile Wednesday. That's because a small piece of debris from an old Chinese satellite was going to come dangerously close. Without the maneuver, the two objects would have come within seven-tenths of a mile later in the morning, too close for NASA's comfort.
The three space station astronauts were informed of the situation. NASA says they were never in danger.
A maneuver had been planned anyway for later Wednesday in preparation for the launch of three more astronauts on Nov. 23 from Kazakhstan. Now, that engine firing won't be needed.
More information: NASA: www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/station/main/index.html
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