Just one day away from the Discovery shuttle’s return at the Kennedy Space Center, a certain amount of panic was triggered by the announcement of an unidentified object floating away from the shuttle.

In past events, such objects turned out to be pieces of ice or plastic bags but until the official report will be finished, no one can know for sure.

The shuttle’s commander, Mark E. Kelly radioed back to Mission Control this morning, as soon as he noticed the floating object near the aft starboard wing. After that, with the help of the crew, he transmitted back to Earth videos and images of the object, as they needed a better analysis. The commander now awaits the result of the tests and has already offered to use the robotic arm’s camera for a closer look.

The astronauts described the floater as a one to one-and-a-half rectangular object but were unable to identify what it is or where it might have originated from.

The mission was considered a great success, as the seven astronauts managed to deliver the second component of the Japanese laboratory to the International Space Station and install the Kibo pressurized science laboratory, also known as the JPM, conducted three spacewalks, tested the new 33-foot long robotic arm, and also adjusted the recently opened storage area, in addition to several other tasks.

One of the targets listed for the Discovery was to bring to the space station astronaut Gregory Chamitoff, who relieved of duty his colleague Garrett Reisman, after a three-month stay. Chamitoff will oversee the operations on the space station for a period of six months.

As soon as the reports from Mission Control will be released the crew will know whether they will have to return to the ISS or if it will be safe to head on home.