Shuttle May Need to Dodge Debris on Return Flight

The space shuttle Discovery may have to dodge some floating “space junk” on its return flight to Earth, according to the Associated Press.

NASA scientists are looking at the possiblity that the return path for the shuttle may need to be altered to avoid some identified floating space debris.  Reports indicate the debris may have come from Saturday’s space walk mission.

The shuttle is scheduled to land Thursday evening but thunderstorms could keep it in orbit an extra day or two.

If Discovery skips Florida on Thursday, NASA will consider the backup touchdown site in California as early as Friday.

Discovery spent more than a week at the space station. Returning astronaut Timothy Kopra lived there nearly two months, while Buzz Lightyear logged 15 months. The doll will head to Walt Disney World after the flight.