"It's largely a cataloging kind of operation at this point," a NASA spokesman said.

A decision on whether to proceed with the launching is to be made early next week, NASA spokesmen said.

The radar data appears to show a small object moving away from the shuttle at about five meters per second, a NASA spokesman said today.

A NASA spokesman later described the situation as serious, though not critical.

Experience and seniority were among the factors considered in crew selection, a NASA spokesman said.

There were no injuries to workers and no damage to the pad, a NASA spokesman said.

A NASA spokesman is quoted in the piece saying, "At this time, there are no plans to fly her."

A NASA spokesman declined to comment on the issue, saying the agency had no authority to speak about military issues.

A NASA spokesman said the program was still spreading.

NASA spokesmen warned the public not to touch any debris but to report it instead to law enforcement authorities.