Can space trash be avoided? No matter what precautions are taken, it seems that space junk is inevitable. Here is a glimpse of some of the most surprising items to pollute space during several decades of space exploration.

 

Spatula

In July 2005, space-walker Piers Sellers admitted that, bizarrely, he’d lost a spatula on a spacewalk. It was nicknamed “spatsat” by junk watchers.

Rubbish

Bin liners full of rubbish were jettisoned by the Soviet Mir cosmonauts on board the space station. Later, an Indonesian satellite was struck by urine and fecal matter.

Camera

A camera became a satellite after the device came undone during a seven hour spacewalk in 1996

Rabbit's Foot

In 1965, a good luck charm became detached from its tether while astronaut Edward White conducted the first-ever US EVA (space walk). Although White had considerable difficulty re-entering the Gemini spacecraft, the mission was otherwise successful.

Pliers

During a two-and-a-half hour mission to repair solar panels, Dr Scott Parazynski, managed to lose his specially designed pliers. They’re now being tracked by NASA.

Rocket

A mysterious object labelled “J002ER” drifted into Earth’s orbit in 2002 - scientists were baffled. It turned out to be a rocket from the Apollo 12 mission from 1969.