We're looking at a high probability of impact in 14 minutes. Radio transmission indicated that they've sealed everything up and are in the Soyuz capsule, even though the article says 5 minutes before closest approach.
Live Audio (quiet now)
http://www.nasa.gov/178952main_Mission_Audio_UP.asx
RED threshold late notice conjunction threat to ISS - Crew evac to Soyuz | NASASpaceFlight.com
Quote:
The three members of Expedition 18 are carrying out the contingency of “evacuation” into the Soyuz spacecraft attached to the International Space Station (ISS), following a “RED threshold late notice conjunction threat” alert, related to Object “25090 PAM-D” debris. The crew are currently closing the hatches on the ISS.
Tracking of the small piece of debris/MMOD (Micrometeoroid Orbital Debris) was initially classed as a low threat of collision with the ISS. However, latest tracking suggests the threat is red.
As a contingency, NASA’s Expedition 18 Commander Mike Fincke, Russian Flight Engineer Yury Lonchakov, and NASA’s Sandra Magnus may be asked to “evacuate” into the Russian Soyuz, which would serve as their means of departing from the Station - should it be required.
Updating the current status of the threat, several memos - acquired by L2 - relay the probability level of the conjunction, with the latest noting “It’s now in the red threshold and if it doesn’t improve between now and TCA (Time of Closest Approach) at 11:39am CDT today they will put the crew in the Soyuz per the rules.”
“The plan that has been coordinated with MCC-M (Moscow) is that if required the crew will enter the Soyuz and be in place by 16:35 staying there until at least 5 minutes post TCA,” added another memo.
“WE will not be closing any additional hatches to enable us to immediately run the nominal depress procedures should they be needed.
“If the PC remains red the course of action will be to place the crew in the Soyuz from 5 minutes before TCA until 5 minutes after TCA. This is ~2 hours after crew post sleep activities (crew will be awake). ”
Update at 11am Central: Crew now closing the hatches and preparing to evac to Soyuz as a contingency in case of debris collision with ISS.
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edit: they'll be in the soyuz capsule for another few minutes, but it missed. They're safe.
e2: they're leaving the Soyuz capsule now and doing checks to make sure a hit didn't go unnoticed.