Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) were forced to take cover as a defunct Russian satellite broke up into more than 100 pieces of debris. This fragmentation has significantly added to the growing space debris problem, posing a risk to space operations.
Nasa confirmed that the debris from the Russian satellite breakup passed close enough to the ISS, triggering precautionary measures.
The astronauts were directed to shelter in place as a safety measure. “The crew followed standard procedures and moved to their designated safe areas,” stated a Nasa spokesperson.
The breakup of the RESURS-P1 satellite, an Earth observation satellite declared dead by Russia in 2022, occurred at around 10am am Mountain Time (1600 GMT) on Wednesday. The incident took place in low-Earth orbit near the ISS, prompting US astronauts on board to shelter in their spacecraft for about an hour. This event has reignited discussions about the need for international regulations and collaborative efforts to manage space debris.
What happened to the defunct Russian satellite?
The defunct Russian satellite RESURS-P1 broke up into over 100 pieces of debris in low-Earth orbit. US Space Command confirmed that “over 100 pieces of trackable debris” were created immediately following the breakup.
How did this affect the astronauts aboard the ISS?
The debris field from the breakup passed close enough to the ISS to necessitate precautionary measures. Nasa’s Space Station office reported that the astronauts were directed to shelter in their designated safe areas. They remained in their spacecraft for roughly an hour before resuming their normal activities.
The debris field created by the disintegrated satellite is expected to remain in orbit for several years, increasing the likelihood of collisions with operational satellites and space stations. “It’s a wild west out there,” commented a leading astrophysicist. “The increased debris heightens the risk of disastrous collisions, presenting a real environmental problem.”
How are space agencies responding to this incident?
Nasa and other space agencies are using space-tracking radars to monitor the debris. US Space Command and firms like LeoLabs have detected at least 180 pieces of debris. There are ongoing discussions about the need for international regulations to manage space traffic and mitigate the risks associated with space debris.
What caused the satellite to break up?
There are no immediate details on what caused the break-up of the RESURS-P1 satellite. Analysts speculate it could have been due to an onboard issue, such as leftover fuel causing an explosion. Jonathan McDowell, a space-tracker and Harvard astronomer, remarked, “I find it hard to believe they would use such a big satellite as an ASAT target. But, with the Russians these days, who knows.”