Russia admitted to destroying one of the satellites in a missile test, but rejected the US allegations that it endangered the International Space Station.
U.S. officials on Monday defendant Moscow called its “dangerous and irresponsible behavior” after conducting an anti-satellite weapon test that threatened the lives of seven astronauts on the International Space Station.
This move has once again raised concerns about the escalation of the space arms race, including everything from laser weapons to satellites that can divert other satellites out of orbit.
On Tuesday, the Russian Ministry of Defense stated that it “successfully conducted a test and the result was that the Russian spacecraft’Tselina-D’, which had been in orbit since 1982, was destroyed.”
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu later stated that the launch used a “promising” system and hit the target “accurately.”
“The debris formed does not pose any threat to space activities,” he added, as quoted by the Russian news agency.
When the severity of the situation became clear on Monday, the astronauts on the International Space Station-four Americans, one German and two Russians-were ordered to seek refuge in the docked capsule immediately.
A dramatic recording recorded the moment the astronauts put on the spacesuit, and then sent a group of more than 1,500 pieces of debris flying through space during the anti-satellite missile test and scrambled to return to the spacecraft.
“We can support you in wearing protective clothing based on your judgment. This is your decision… Then go to the next debris field pass TCA 15 minutes in advance [time of closest approach],” Said Mission controller at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.
“At this time we have one and a half minutes before the next debris field crossing,” a mission controller Said Passed to the astronauts once. “This will be a four-minute transit,” the controller added.
Astronauts spent two hours in two space capsules, and when they finally appeared, they only needed to close and reopen the hatches of the various laboratories of the space station in each orbit, or one and a half hours, as they passed near the space debris. Or through space debris.
The Russian military stated that it is carrying out planned activities to strengthen its defense capabilities, but denies that the test is dangerous.
The military said: “The United States must know that in terms of test time and orbital parameters, the resulting debris does not and will not pose a threat to orbital stations, spacecraft, and space activities.”
Soon after Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov denied that Moscow endangered the International Space Station and also accused Russia of creating risks for peaceful activities in space as “hypocritical”, the US statement was confirmed.
Russian Space Agency Director Dmitry Rogozin said that he had a “detailed” telephone conversation with the Russian Federal Space Agency. NASA On Tuesday night, Chief Bill Nelson (Bill Nelson). “In short… we are moving forward to ensure the safety of our staff on the International Space Station and develop a joint plan,” Rogozin announced on Twitter.
