The International Space Station (ISS) is a modern marvel of engineering and global cooperation, with astronauts from various nations advancing mankind’s research in space. However, some eagle-eyed Earthbound viewers believe they’ve spotted something else—aliens studying us.

#### Spacewalk Mystery

In March 2017, while the ISS orbited 250 miles above the Earth’s surface, two astronauts embarked on a routine spacewalk to perform maintenance. NASA flight engineer Peggy Whitson filmed their mission and, in the process, captured something extraordinary: a strange object seemed to be following the ISS. Upon closer inspection, it appeared to be spinning slowly, almost as if it was trying to get a better view. This object was visible in the background for almost the entire seven-hour spacewalk. Social media erupted, with many speculating that this was proof of a UFO monitoring the ISS.

Author and editor Brad Olson suggests there’s an entire extraterrestrial surveillance network, with the centerpiece being a mysterious satellite known as the Black Knight, which purportedly avoids detection through a cloaking device. This satellite is believed to follow a peculiar rotation from pole to pole, covering every continent as the Earth spins. In 1899, famed inventor Nikola Tesla reportedly received a radio transmission that some believe was from the Black Knight, and photos of a strange object, like one taken from the ISS, add to the speculation of an alien satellite orbiting Earth. Yet, if aliens are spying on us, their motives remain one of the greatest mysteries.

#### Three Lights

Additional footage from the ISS has bolstered the belief that strange phenomena are occurring in orbit. In 2015, a British astronaut saw three lights moving in formation near the ISS. The image is faint, but when zoomed in, the three lights are visible. Before jumping to conclusions, experts analyzed these images.

Mark D’Antonio, an expert studying the spacewalk footage, considered whether the object could be a satellite. He noted that the object fell into the shadow of the ISS at several points, indicating it was small and close to the space station. This led to the possibility that it was one of the 130 million pieces of space junk orbiting the Earth, which the ISS occasionally has to maneuver to avoid.

Mick West dismisses the Black Knight spy satellite theory, arguing it would follow a different orbit from the ISS. After investigation, D’Antonio concluded that the UFO was likely a shield meant to be installed on the ISS but accidentally dropped. This shield, made of two-inch thick fabric, is designed to protect the ISS from space debris.

As for the three lights, D’Antonio discovered an interesting issue during that ISS mission: a leak from the Russian sector of the station. The lights were almost certainly droplets of liquid—possibly urine—leaking out of the Russian sector.

#### Verdict

Our verdict: The so-called UFOs were actually a flyaway shield and some leaked Russian urine. Despite this, the space junk problem remains serious. NASA is particularly concerned about the Kessler syndrome, a scenario where so many objects in orbit collide and create more debris, potentially making future space launches impossible.

This exploration of UFO sightings around the ISS showcases the fine line between extraordinary speculation and mundane reality, reminding us that the truth is often hidden in plain sight.