After criticizing the anti-satellite missile test, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu stated that the resulting debris “will not pose any threat to space activities.” The United States, the United Kingdom, and NATO have stated that the low-Earth orbit debris field generated by the anti-missile test is dangerous to orbiting spacecraft and will pose a threat to space activities for many years. “The resulting debris does not pose any threat to space activities,” Shoigu was quoted by Russian news organizations as saying.

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the anti-satellite missile test destroyed the Russian spacecraft “Tselina-D” that has been in orbit since 1982. Shoigu said that the test used a “promising” system that could “accurately” hit the target. Russia cited Washington’s initiative to establish a space force in 2020 as a reason to strengthen its space defense capabilities. “The Russian Ministry of Defense successfully conducted a test on November 15 and hit the non-operational Russian spacecraft Tselina-D, which has been in orbit since 1982,” the Ministry of Defense said in a statement.

The test aroused anger in the West, and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg called it “reckless” and “worrying” behavior. At a meeting with the European Union’s defense ministers, Stoltenberg stated that the anti-satellite missile test “shows that Russia is developing a new weapon system that can shoot down satellites.” France has labelled Russia as a “space destroyer” that produces dangerous amounts of debris.

US Secretary of State Anthony Brinken stated that debris will continue to threaten the satellites and activities of the International Space Station, which currently has seven crew members. There have been frequent problems with the space station recently, including the September smoke warning incident in the Russian capsule of the International Space Station.

In view of the frequent problems with the International Space Station, Russia has stated that it will leave the space station and launch its own orbital station after 2025.

News Source : Hindustan Times