What The Heck Is This Near The ISS??

[Mikesingh]

What is that floating next to the ISS?

Ok, guys, here's something that'll probably make you burn midnight oil!  Here's an image of the ISS. Do you notice anything strange here? Like something floating outside the ISS?



No? Ok, now check out this second pic which has been enhanced a trifle by adding contrast and brightness. Now do you see it?



Let's magnify it a bit.....



Whoops! Looks like my office trashcan! Lol!

Seriously, what do you think it is?

An ISS module just floating around? Which one? If it was, then why can't it be seen in the first photograph in normal mode? It's only when the image is enhanced does this object show up. 'Cloaking'? Are shadows playing tricks or is there more than meets the eye here?

And of course, it's impossible to tell the distance. Could be a few feet to a few miles from the ISS.  No such module (If it is one) can be seen from the other side of the ISS.

Can the experts out here hazard a guess as to what this object might be? A satellite? But that argument ain't an option as there needs to be minimum separation between space objects and the ISS. And no free floating junk that size can come so close. Space debris? The usual 'reflection' hypothesis?

Or.....a cloaked alien space craft?? Damned if I know!

Over to you guys.......

[Sgt.Rocknroll]

Closest i could find is the Japanese garbage disposal....

[Mikesingh]

Being an international effort, there are resupply vehicles from other countries visiting it. However they don't look anything like this 'trash can'! Not the Japanese HTV1 or 2, nor the Soyuz TMA- M, and I can't find anything about any ESA visitor.

Anyway, that thing looks wrong for a satellite, besides which if it was then wouldn't NASA have said so? And most importantly, it surely would be easily visible?

I wonder how 'cloaked' it really was - maybe the ISS crew didn't know it was there? 

[ArMaP]

I found another version of that photo here, and not only it appears uncropped, as it shows more, it also looks like it wasn't subjected to a contrast enhancement, like the one on the official NASA page.

Increasing the brightness on the above image it shows that there are many things that looks like small water drops (or something similar) on the shuttle's window, so it's possible that it's just a refraction or reflection on a small water drop.



The photo before this one doesn't show any object on that place, but it shows several of those "drops"...


... and the same happens with the photo after the one in the opening post.

[Sgt.Rocknroll]

While I agree that reflections are a possibility, what Mike pointed out is NOT a raindrop.....

[ArMaP]

While I agree that reflections are a possibility, what Mike pointed out is NOT a raindrop.....

I didn't say it was.

[Sgt.Rocknroll]

I'm using Paintshop Pro 8X 64

This is a crop of Mike's 1st picture plus zoomed.



This one is zoomed and enhanced with an app that does automatic photo fixes.



What bothers me is the lack of light on the object as compared to the ISS....?

Ok ArMap,,,,,'water drop'...sheesh

[ArMaP]

Ok ArMap,,,,,'water drop'...sheesh

So, what do you think those things in the photos I posted are?

[Sgt.Rocknroll]

Water drops and moisture. But the topic is what Mike posted. And that and moisture or water drops. A reflection of something else? Maybe but if so where are the other reflections?

[ArMaP]

Water drops and moisture.

That's what I think.

But the topic is what Mike posted.

Obviously, that's why I went looking for other versions of the photo Mike posted.

And that and moisture or water drops.

Sorry, this I don't understand.

A reflection of something else?

I think it could be a reflection of the interior of the Space Shuttle.

Maybe but if so where are the other reflections?

That "reflection" is much brighter than the others, so the contrast increase that was apparently applied to the photo was enough to destroy those darker reflections, but not the brightest.

[Sgt.Rocknroll]

Weak argument, weak 

[The Seeker]

I wonder if it could be this, the Bigelow inflatable module; when was the photo in the OP taken?

Video courtesy of Space.com

[thorfourwinds]

That "reflection" is much brighter than the others, so the contrast increase that was apparently applied to the photo was enough to destroy those darker reflections, but not the brightest.

Nice try, but no cigar.

Only YOU said there were darker reflections.   

[Sgt.Rocknroll]

I wonder if it could be this, the Bigelow inflatable module; when was the photo in the OP taken?

Video courtesy of Space.com

Thought it might be too, but the BEAM is too large I think.

[ArMaP]

Nice try, but no cigar.

Only YOU said there were darker reflections.   

You can check for yourself.