Shuttle Problem

Apparently an object of some kind floated away from the shuttle and is tracking it in orbit. They astronauts have also got some kind of bump sticking out on their rudder.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/06/13/space.shuttle.ap/index.html

http://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/06/14/space.shuttle.ap/index.html

The object turned out to be some kind of clip. I wonder if the Shuttle Mechanics were from North Carolina and just said, "I wouldn't worry 'bout it, it's just a part that you don't need, and ain't doin' ya any good anyway."