On Wednesday, a defunct Russian satellite called RESURS-P1 broke apart in low Earth orbit, creating a cloud of debris that posed a potential threat to the International Space Station (ISS). The satellite, which used to weigh around 13,200 pounds, split into more than 100 pieces of trackable debris, according to U.S. Space Command. This event led to the ISS crew being ordered to take shelter as a precautionary measure while mission control assessed the situation.
After about an hour of monitoring the debris, the crew was given the all-clear to resume normal operations on the space station. The U.S. Space Command confirmed that there were no immediate threats and that routine assessments were ongoing to ensure the safety and sustainability of the space domain.
This incident follows a similar event in 2021 when Russia conducted an anti-satellite test that resulted in the intentional destruction of a Soviet-era satellite, generating thousands of fragments of debris. This previous test also forced ISS astronauts and cosmonauts to seek shelter. The international community, including NASA and the United Nations, condemned Russia’s actions and called for restrictions on anti-satellite missile tests.
Speculation surrounding the recent breakup of the Russian satellite suggests that it may have been the result of another anti-missile test. Astronomers like Jonathan McDowell and Marco Langbroek have offered their insights into the possible causes of the satellite’s disintegration, mentioning scenarios such as a small impact or the explosion of an onboard battery. While Langbroek mentioned that mishaps on the spacecraft itself are more common, the possibility of intentional destruction cannot be ruled out.
As more satellites are launched into Earth’s orbit, the risk of collisions between objects in space increases. The rapid growth of the space industry has outpaced regulatory efforts, highlighting the need for new rules and mitigation strategies to be implemented sooner rather than later. It is crucial to address these challenges to ensure the safety and sustainability of space activities.
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