Anti-satellite missile caused massive debris field.
On Monday, the U.S. Space Command warned of a “debris generating event” in space and said it was coordinating with other nations to help ensure the safety of their equipment in orbit. The command said, “We are actively working to characterize the debris field and will continue to ensure all space-faring nations have the information necessary to maneuver satellites if impacted.”
State Department spokesman Ned Price has now told reporters that Russia had “recklessly conducted a destructive satellite test of a direct ascent anti-satellite missile against one of its own satellites.” The result, Price said, “has so far generated over 1,500 pieces of trackable, orbital debris and hundreds of thousands of pieces of smaller orbital debris that now threatens the interests of all nations.”
“Russia’s dangerous and irresponsible behavior jeopardizes the long-term sustainability of our outer space and clearly demonstrates that Russia’s claims of opposing the weaponization of space are disingenuous and hypocritical,” Price said. “The United States will work with our allies and partners to respond to Russia’s irresponsible act.”
The Pentagon has also called the act irresponsible. “We watch closely the kinds of capabilities that Russia seems to want to develop which could pose a threat not just to our national security interests, but the security interests of other space-faring nations,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said. “And again, we’ve been very clear, we would like to see norms for space so that it can be used responsibly by all space-faring nations.”
Concern was so great that astronauts and cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station temporarily sought shelter in their respective Crew Dragon and Soyuz spacecraft.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For the safety of the men and women serving aboard the International Space Station.
- For the Defense and State Departments as officials monitor the debris field to protect satellites that are needed for communications, GPS, national security, and commercial purposes.
Sources: Politico, Reuters
