Flying 'Junk' a Potential Space Station Hazard

NASA is keeping a watchful eye on the international space station after learning that a piece of space junk is threatening the craft.

Reports from NASA-TV and Mission Control indicate that a small piece from a Russian rocket could strike the space station at approximately 12 p.m. Tuesday.

NASA radar has not been able to consistently track the debris path, which is on track to pass as close as four miles from the station.

Astronauts Max Suraev from Russia and Jeff Williams from the U.S. were told by NASA to rest until approximately 9 a.m. CST when administrators would have been able to can get a better indication on the piece of metal's path, FOX 26 News has learned.

While NASA is trying to gather the latest tracking data, it is too late to make any last minute evasive maneuvers.

If the debris closely approaches the space station, the astronauts will be placed in the Russian Soyuz TMA-15 capsule as a precaution.