Refers To Discarded Junk As "Majestic"

A 1,400-pound, refrigerator-size ammonia tank and a 200-pound camera mounting were thrown into orbit off the International Space Station Monday when the National Aeronautics and Space Administration decided the items were garbage and could not be brought back to Earth.

Astronaut Clayton Anderson was charged with releasing the items during a spacewalk that lasted more than seven hours, according to the Associated Press.

Anderson thought the large tank looked "majestic" and the camera mounting, measuring four feet, resembled "a huge star" as they flew away.

NASA said it usually tries not to throw trash away in such a manner, but felt there was no other choice in this instance. The items needed to be removed but there is no available room on remaining shuttle missions before the shuttles are retired in 2010.

There are reportedly already more than 9,000 pieces of debris large enough to be tracked currently in orbit. 

The ammonia tank has been on board since 2001 to hold spare coolant. It was never needed and it has exceeded its life expectancy. It should stay in orbit for 10 or 11 months then re-enter the atmosphere and burn up, said the agency.

For each throw, Anderson had to lean back on the end of a 58-foot robot arm, as far out as he could. He then rocked forward and shouted "Jettison!" as he shoved the equipment into space in the opposite direction of the space station's travel to lessen the possibility of collision. The astronauts will also reposition the space station to add a bit more clearance.

"Our spaceship Earth is a beautiful place," said Anderson during his first spacewalk.

Mission Control said Anderson's throws were "right down the middle."

"Well, in that case, give Brad Lidge and Roy Oswalt a call and tell them I just hummed a 17,500-mph fastball," Anderson said, referring to pitchers for the Houston Astros.

"I'll be sending my bill in the mail for trash disposal," he joked.

FMI: www.nasa.gov