June 20, 2007—There’s nothing like a "mystery object" to get NASA’s blood pumping. As Space Shuttle Atlantis undocked from the International Space Station, the astronauts videotaped something floating between the two vehicles. Early descriptions include a snake-like object or an undulating piece of spaghetti. The concern for NASA is that it’s either a small object close to the Shuttle, or a big object off in the distance, closer to the space station. Anyrthing big and loose floating near the station is a cause for worry.

The agency has been more sensitive to "mystery objects" ever since the "day two object" was seen floating away from Columbia shortly after its final liftoff in 2003. NASA theorizes that object was, possibly, a piece of the damaged heat shield that was hit by a falling piece of foam insulation during liftoff. That impact is blamed for the Columbia accident which killed the crew and destroyed the spacecraft.

Landing is set for tomorrow, but there are enough supplies on board Atlantis to push the touchdown to Sunday if needed.

Also, had a nice talk with Robin Young, host of WBUR’s talk show "Here and Now". There’s a link, if you’d like to listen in.