Space debris hits robotic arm on International Space Station

Piece of space junk punched a hole, but the arm is still operational

A piece of space debris hit the International Space Station, leaving a hole in the lab's robotic arm.

The Canadian Space Agency's Canadarm2, located outside the station, was damaged but it is still functioning.

The robotic structure has been operational for 20 years and is used for maintenance and photography.

A view of the International Space Station backdropped by the limb of the Earth

"While utmost precautions are taken to reduce the potential for collisions with the ISS, impacts with tiny objects do occur," the Canadian Space Agency said.

"One such hit was noticed recently during a routine inspection of Canadarm2 on May 12.

"Experts from the Canadian Space Agency and Nasa worked together to take detailed images of the area and assess the impact, which occurred on one of Canadarm2's boom segments."

The agency said the hole was about 5 millimetres in diameter and was visible. The arm boom and thermal blanket had been damaged.

Growing problem of space debris

Courtesy: European Space Agency

Space experts have long spoken of the growing problem of space debris.

More than 23,000 objects – all the size of a softball or larger – are tracked round the clock to detect potential collisions with satellites or the ISS.

But tiny objects such as dust particles or flecks of paint from satellites are too small to be monitored.

Some of the large space junk pieces include old satellite parts, dead satellites or rocket bodies.

The European Space Agency said space debris should be a concern to all nations.

“Accidental collisions, explosions and even the intentional destruction of satellites have created millions of debris fragments, which orbiting at high speed can damage or destroy any functioning spacecraft that crosses their path,” the agency said.

Private space company Astroscale launched a space clean-up demonstration mission this year to help reduce junk in orbit.

If successful, the mission could be expanded and would help reduce space debris significantly.

Stunning images of the UAE from space – in pictures 

The UAE (centre-right) is well-lit during the night and is very visible from space. This image was captured from the International Space Station. Nasa

Nasa astronaut Jessica Meir shared this image of Abu Dhabi two months after Emirati astronaut Hazza Al Mansouri returned to Earth from the space station. Jessica Meir Twitter

A stunning image of Downtown Dubai taken in 2012 by the Pleiades satellite. The Burj Khalifa is visible. European Space Agency

The largest mosque in Sharjah captured by Emirati satellite KhaliafSat. Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre

An image of Al Ain in 1984, when there was not a lot of greenery. Abu Dhabi emirate is now considered a green oasis with a major focus in agriculture. Nasa's Earth Observatory

The Mohammed bin Rashid Space Centre counted 45,000 palm trees in Al Ain. The satellite images are helping to monitor the quantity and health of thousands of trees. MBRSC

Umm Al Quwain, one of the seven emirates of the UAE, seen from space. The emirate is on a peninsula and has many attractive sites, including ancient forts. Zoom Earth

The Corniche Park in Umm Al Quwain (top) and Municipal Park on the bottom side of the image. Zoom Earth

KhalifaSat captured Jebel Jais, the highest summit in the UAE which is about 2,000 metres above sea level. It also has the world’s longest zipline. MBRSC

Fujairah is on the east coast of the UAE and is known for its beaches and the Hajar mountains. The mountainous areas are visible in this image, as well as the Fujairah International Airport and the Port Fujairah on the top right. Zoom Earth

Abu Dhabi’s Sir Bani Yas Island captured from space in 2010. The island is a major tourist attract with a mix of wildlife, archaeological sites and luxury hotel retreats. Nasa

Dubai seen from the International Space Station. Nasa

The Strait of Hormuz separates the UAE and Iran. Nasa

The UAE captured from space in 2013. Nasa’s Earth Observatory

Hazza Al Mansouri took this photo of Umm Ghafa in Al Ain from the space station in 2019. It is the village where his colleague and reserve astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi grew up. Sultan Al Neyadi twitter

The Dubai Expo site captured by KhalifaSat in 2019. The much-anticipated event is set to begin on October 1, 2021. MBRSC

The man-made Love Lake in Dubai’s Al Qudra desert. MBRSC

Dust blows over the Arabian Gulf in 2013. The UAE is on the right side of this image and Saudi Arabia is on the left. Nasa’s Earth Observatory

A dust plume over the UAE in 2009. Nasa

The Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan Mosque in Al Ain captured by KhalifaSat. It features a magnificent dome, which measures 86 metres in diameter. MBRSC

The Copernicus Sentinel 2 mission captured this striking view of Abu Dhabi from space. The dark green patch of land is the Mangrove National Park. Ferrari World can be seen in the centre-right of the image. European Space Agency

An incredible view of the UAE captured by Hazza Al Mansouri in 2019. Hazza Al Mansouri twitter

An image of Abu Dhabi taken from the International Space Station as it orbited 423 kilometres above Oman. Nasa

Planes can be seen parked at Dubai International Airport during the Coronavirus Pandemic in May 2020, when travel was restricted. MBRSC

KhalifaSat captured this stunning image of Abu Dhabi in 2020. MBRSC

Another view of the UAE’s capital city of Abu Dhabi from space. MBRSC

One of the most recent photos of Dubai taken in 2020 from space, showing the Palm Jumeirah, Palm Jebel Ali and the World Islands. MBRSC

Mangroves, salt domes, salt flats and coral reefs on the south-west coast of the UAE, near Abu Dhabi, captured in 2001. Nasa’s Earth Observatory

The first image captured by KhalifaSat in 2018. It is the Palm Jumeirah in Dubai. MBRSC

A manufacturing site on the Arabian Gulf coast of the UAE, near Abu Dhabi. Nasa