Station Evacuation Preps Scrapped; Debris No Threat

An ongoing analysis of space debris thought be a threat to the International Space Station shows the debris will not pass close enough to the complex to warrant preparations for an emergency evacuation.

Six astronauts and cosmonauts will not be directed to shelter in Russian Soyuz lifeboats at the station later tonight as a result. NASA also is scrapping plans to provide live commentary during the closest approach tonight because the threat to the complex has diminished significantly, officials said.

The station crew will be awakened at 10 p.m. EST to be informed of the decision. Then they will be told to go back to sleep.

NASA and Russian Federal Space Agency officials had told the crew they would be awakened at that time so they could board two separate three-person Soyuz lifeboats at the complex.