Junk We've Lost in Outer Space

In the wake of two satellites colliding this week—and debris apparently falling on several states—Wired runs down a list of objects we've lost in outer space:

• A spatula: Used to apply heat-shield repair goo, the implement's loss was a blow to one astronaut. "That was my favorite spatch," he said. "Don’t tell the other spatulas."
• The $100,000 toolbag: This costly 2008 mistake still orbits, and can be tracked online.

• 1,400 lbs of ammonia: The International Space Station once used the chemical for AC, but an upgrade made it unnecessary, and NASA tossed it. Heard about recycling?
• Gene Rodenberry's remains: The Star Trek creator's ashes orbited in a lipstick-sized container before burning up in 1992.
• Urine: Before filtration arrived on the ISS, waste was ejected. Astronauts described its crystallization as one of the more beautiful sights in space.

For more space losses, click the link below. (More space travel stories.)