Slashdot said:"Dropped Shuttle Toolbag Filmed From Earth"
http://science.slashdot.org/science/08/11/23/2257240.shtml
cathector writes
"An article at spaceweather.com reports that the toolbag dropped during Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper's spacewalk
has been recorded on film (http://spaceweather.com/swpod2008/23nov08/33442.wmv) from earth: 'When Endeavour astronaut Heidemarie Stefanyshyn-Piper dropped her toolbag during a spacewalk on Nov. 18th and it floated away, mission controllers probably figured they'd seen the last of it. Think again. Last night, Nov. 22nd, veteran satellite observer Kevin Fetter video-recorded the backpack-sized bag gliding over his backyard observatory in Brockville, Ontario. "It was easily 8th magnitude or brighter as it passed by the 4th magnitude star eta Pisces," he says. Spaceweather's satellite tracker is monitoring the toolbag.'"
The actual loss of the bag was filmed, too; reader Kagura links in a comment on the original story to this YouTube clip () of the bag's escape.
"Toolbag lost in space found" is a hypothetical scenario in which a toolbag belonging to an astronaut is lost during a spacewalk and later found by another astronaut or spacecraft.
Tools being lost in space is a rare occurrence. While there have been instances of tools being dropped or lost during spacewalks, they are usually retrieved or replaced during the mission.
Astronauts use tethering systems and specially designed toolbags with lanyards to keep track of their tools during spacewalks. They also have detailed checklists and procedures to ensure all tools are accounted for before and after a spacewalk.
In some cases, lost tools can be retrieved during the mission. If the tool is still within reach, astronauts may be able to retrieve it using their robotic arm or by going on an additional spacewalk. However, if the tool has drifted too far away, it may be difficult to retrieve.
If a lost tool is not found or cannot be retrieved during the mission, it will remain in orbit until it eventually re-enters the Earth's atmosphere and burns up. The tool will not pose any danger to spacecraft or humans on Earth as it will disintegrate during re-entry.