Space junk is increasingly a problem in Earth orbit. Last winter's collision involving an Iridium satellite and a defunct Russian satellite both worsened and highlighted the potential for disaster. The current Hubble repair mission is more dangerous than it would've been because of flying debris.
NASA reports Atlantis may indeed have been struck by a piece of junk, although-- this time-- there seems to have been no damage. NASA is also tracking another piece of junk that might come relatively close to the shuttle.
If Atlantis would be disabled, space shuttle Endeavor is on the pad, ready to attempt a rescue. Should an astronaut be struck during a spacewalk, everything could depend on getting the person back inside the pressurized cabin quickly. The best defense against that happening is probably size, or the lack of it. A human is a tiny target in the vastness of orbital space.
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