Houston, Texas – Six US astronauts aboard the International Space Station had to quickly retreat to their spacecrafts in response to a defunct Russian satellite breaking up into over 100 pieces of debris in orbit. This event added to the already substantial amount of space junk surrounding the station, as reported by US space agencies.
The Resurs-P1 Russian Earth observation satellite’s breakup did not have an immediate explanation, with Russia confirming its declared dead status back in 2022. However, the US Space Command assured that there was no immediate danger posed to other satellites in orbit.
On Wednesday morning, near the space station’s orbit, the satellite shattered, prompting the astronauts onboard to seek refuge in their spacecraft for about an hour under the guidance of Nasa’s Space Station office. Despite requests for comment, the Russian space agency, Roscosmos, remained silent about the incident.
Tracking the debris swarm, US Space Command noted the immediate creation of over 100 trackable pieces of debris. By the following afternoon, LeoLabs’ radars detected at least 180 fragments, raising concerns about the increasing presence of space debris and the potential risks it poses to operational satellites.
The breakup of the satellite occurred in a low Earth orbit of around 220 miles, a region densely populated by numerous functioning satellites and space objects. With an estimated timeline of weeks to months for the hazardous debris cloud to disperse, the incident has reignited discussions about the management of space traffic and the prevention of collisions.
Analysts speculated that the breakup could have been caused by various factors, including onboard fuel leading to an explosion. The event was a stark reminder of the challenges posed by space debris and the need for international cooperation in space governance.
As the US astronauts returned to their normal activities on the station following the safety protocol, the episode underscored the risks inherent in space exploration and the importance of robust safety measures in the face of unexpected events.
Calls for a more structured approach to managing space traffic and preventing potential conflicts in space have grown louder in the wake of such incidents, highlighting the pressing need for global coordination in ensuring the sustainability of space activities.