International space station discharges excess equipment into space

NASA astronaut - Clayton Anderson dropped into space two devices that are no longer needed on the International Space Station.

At an altitude of nearly 320km above the ground, Anderson threw away a 90kg camera tripod, then pushed the ammonia container weighing over 600kg the size of a refrigerator away from the Space Station.

NASA officials have no choice but to push out the space of these unnecessary devices. The deadline for shuttle flights is 2010 has come close and NASA has not enough space on incoming flights to bring the container back to Earth.

This flask was launched in 2001 to provide individual chillers in case of leaks. But it has never been used until now and has expired.

Experts controlling this expected flight will follow the flight trajectory for another 10 to 11 months before entering the atmosphere and burning.

During this period, officials said the device had no risk of crashing into the Space Station. Although its debris may pass through the atmosphere next year, NASA hopes they will fall into the ocean. Camera tripod will burn completely and faster because it is smaller than ammonia tank.