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Russia denies endangering ISS astronauts

MOSCOW – Russian officials on Tuesday denied allegations that they endanger astronauts on the International Space Station by conducting a test of a weapon that generated more than 1,500 pieces of space junk.

US officials on Monday accused Russia of destroying an old satellite with a missile they called a reckless and irresponsible attack. Debris can do great damage to the space station as it is orbiting at 17,500 mph (28,000 km/h).

NASA administrator Bill Nelson told The Associated Press.

The test clearly demonstrated that Russia, “despite its statement against the weaponization of outer space, is ready … to promote the exploration and use of space by all nations through reckless behaviour. responsible and irresponsible,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

Russian space agency Roscosmos would not confirm or deny that the attack took place, saying only that “the unconditional safety of the crew was and remains our main priority” in a statement. Vague online was announced on Tuesday.

The Russian Defense Ministry on Tuesday confirmed it had conducted a test and destroyed a satellite that has been defunct in orbit since 1982, but stressed that “the United States knows for sure that the debris created, considering the of test timing and orbital parameters, does not and will not pose a threat to orbiting stations, spacecraft and space activities “and calls the remarks made by US officials” hypocrite “.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also accused Russia of creating risks for peaceful activities in space as “hypocritical”.

When the situation became clear early Monday morning, four Americans, one German and two Russians aboard the International Space Station were ordered to immediately seek shelter in their moored holds. They spent two hours in two capsules, only to eventually emerge to have to close and reopen the hatches for the station’s individual laboratories in every orbit, or an hour and a half, as they passed near or through. through debris.

NASA’s Mission Control said the growing threat could continue to disrupt scientific research and other astronauts’ work. Four of the seven crew members only reached the orbiting outpost on Thursday night.

A similar Chinese weapon test in 2007 also resulted in loads of debris. One of those threatened to get dangerously close to the space station last week. Although it was later dismissed as a risk, NASA still allowed the station to move.

The US anti-satellite missile tests in 2008 and India in 2019 were carried out at much lower altitudes, just below the space station at about 260 miles (420 km).

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