June 28th, 2024

ISS Astronauts take cover as defunct Russian satellite splits into 180 pieces

A defunct Russian satellite, Resurs-P1, broke up into nearly 200 debris pieces near the International Space Station. US astronauts sought shelter briefly. Space Command confirmed no immediate threat. Concerns arise about space junk management.

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ISS Astronauts take cover as defunct Russian satellite splits into 180 pieces

A defunct Russian satellite, the Resurs-P1, broke up into nearly 200 pieces of debris in orbit, prompting the six US astronauts aboard the International Space Station to seek shelter in their spacecrafts for about an hour. The event occurred near the space station, with no immediate details on the cause of the breakup provided. The US Space Command confirmed that there was no immediate threat to other satellites from the debris swarm. The satellite's breakup added to the growing issue of space junk in orbit, with concerns about collisions and the creation of more hazardous debris. The incident highlights the need for better management of space traffic to prevent such events in the future. The astronauts returned to their normal activities after the shelter-in-place protocol was lifted. Russia's history of satellite destruction in space raised initial concerns, but analysts suggest the breakup was likely due to a problem with the satellite itself rather than intentional action.

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