Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Discovery Prepares for Return

Posted by CowboyNeal on from the major-tom-to-ground-control dept.

Kailash Nadh writes "Discovery's astronauts packed up their stuff on Friday as they prepared to undock from the international space station now that NASA has cleared the shuttle to return to Earth next week. Their most difficult task before leaving the station was the maneuvering of a huge cargo container filled with 2 1/2 years worth of trash into the shuttle's payload bay. Once back on Earth, the items would either be disposed of or returned to researchers."

4 of 189 comments (clear)

  1. Throw it out by Peter+Cooper · · Score: 0, Redundant

    Why don't they just drop the garbage into the atmosphere and let it burn up?

  2. Re:Risk your life for Garbage?? by murderlegendre · · Score: 0, Redundant

    It's probably useful to know what happens when you keep rubbish in space for several years anyway

    Don't you think you're being a little hard on the ISS?

    --
    There's a Starman, waiting in the sky / He'd like to come and meet us, but he hasn't got the time.
  3. Third option by HangingChad · · Score: 0, Redundant
    Once back on Earth, the items would either be disposed of or returned to researchers.

    Or sold on eBay.

    --
    That's our life, the big wheel of shit. - The Fat Man, Blue Tango Salvage
  4. How much would YOU pay by MajorDick · · Score: 0, Redundant

    For a pound of space Trash ?
     
    Put it on ebay and let the bidding begin....
    My Bid for toiletry FREE trash starts at 50$ a pound.....
    Lets see 50$ /3000 lbs , hey the goverment could buy a new hammer AND toilet seat and still have $12 left over...