Produced by: Tarun Mishra Designed by: Manoj Kumar
A defunct Russian satellite, RESURS-P1, broke into over 100 pieces of debris, significantly contributing to the space debris problem.
NASA confirmed that debris from the satellite breakup passed close to the ISS, prompting precautionary measures. Astronauts were directed to shelter in place.
“The crew followed standard procedures and moved to their designated safe areas,” stated a NASA spokesperson. The astronauts remained in their spacecraft for about an hour before resuming normal activities.
The RESURS-P1 satellite, an Earth observation satellite declared defunct by Russia in 2022, broke up at around 10 am Mountain Time (1600 GMT) on Wednesday in low-Earth orbit near the ISS.
US Space Command confirmed “over 100 pieces of trackable debris” were created immediately following the breakup. This event has reignited discussions about the need for international regulations to manage space debris.
The debris is expected to remain in orbit for several years, increasing the risk of collisions with operational satellites and space stations. “The increased debris heightens the risk of disastrous collisions,” commented an astrophysicist.
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.
Analysts speculate the breakup could have been due to an onboard issue like leftover fuel causing an explosion. The incident underscores the need for an international mechanism to manage space traffic and mitigate the risks associated with space debris.