NASA watches for space junk that could threaten shuttle, space station

NASA is followed by a piece of space debris that might be closer to the space shuttle Atlantis and International Space Station this week, the agency said.

The data indicate that the point of closest would be at noon Tuesday, the same day as a walk in the space provided by the crew of the shuttle, according to LeRoy Cain, deputy director of the shuttle program.

"However, we do not really good (collision probability) on it yet," said Cain, who warned that the size of the object is not yet known.

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The debris, which is part of the satellite Cosmos 375, is one of more than 500,000 pieces of debris tracked in Earth orbit, NASA said.

A space debris incident nearly two weeks ago prompted the crew to the International Space Station take refuge in two Soyuz when he came in the 1100 feet from the station.

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Atlantis docked with the International Space Station on Sunday for an appointment one week, two days after blasting off on a historic flight marking the launch of the final U.S. shuttle program.

The shuttle crew will deliver supplies and spare parts for the space station and pick up a broken pump and transport it to Earth for inspection, NASA said on its website. The shuttle docked at 11:07 ET in an "absolutely impeccable" operation, according to Cain.

Docking of Atlantis to the space station was conducted by running a "back flip" maneuver allowed the shuttle belly facing the space station, where crew members may inquire about his condition, NASA said.

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After checking for leaks, the crew opened the hatches between the two vehicles shortly after 12 pm ET.

"It was really moving to see the final home of the shuttle to the space station," Cain said, adding that it was the 12th time in as Atlantis did.

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The crews of Atlantis and the space station will also research the potential of a space system supply.

NASA Administrator Charles Bolden, speaking to CNN Candy Crowley on Sunday, said the conclusion of the program of the U.S. space shuttle does not mean the United States gives the space race in Russia.

"American leadership will persist for the foreseeable future, I can guarantee you that," Bolden said. In addition to taking cargo to orbit next year, NASA is partnering with business interests in the development of a vehicle crew, he said.