USA criticized Russia for having carried out a missile test that blew up one of its own satellites, causing debris that it considered threatening to the astronauts of the International Space Station (ISS).
“Earlier today, Russia irresponsibly conducted a destructive direct-climb anti-satellite missile test against one of its own satellites,” said State Department spokesman Ned Price, calling Moscow’s behavior “dangerous and irresponsible. “.
According to him, this action has “generated more than 1,500 traceable orbital debris and hundreds of thousands of smaller pieces of orbital debris that now threaten the interests of all nations.”
Without going into whether Washington is examining retaliatory measures, Price said the United States “would make it clear that it will not tolerate this type of activity.”
This missile launch “clearly shows that Russia’s claims that it opposes the militarization of space are false and hypocritical,” he added.
Russia’s anti-satellite weapon (ASAT) test is a rare show of force by Moscow criticized by the space community because of the risk it poses to crews in low Earth orbit.
The United States and Russia have maintained strong spatial ties since the end of the Cold War, despite mounting political tensions in recent years.
Pentagon spokesman John Kirby stated that “the immediate concern is debris, which is now floating and could become a hazard, including to the International Space Station.”
“We are keeping a close eye on the kind of media that Russia seems to want to develop, which could pose a threat not only to our national security interests, but also to the security incentives of other nations with space travel,” he said.
Earlier, the US Space Command, under the Pentagon, had reported that they were investigating a “debris-generating incident in outer space” that had caused ISS astronauts to prepare for a possible evacuation of the facility.
“US Space Command is aware of a debris-generating incident in outer space. We are actively working to define the characteristics of the debris field and will continue to ensure that all space nations have the necessary information to maneuver satellites in the event. of impact “, had indicated the federal agency.
NASA has not yet commented on the incident, but its Russian counterpart, Roscomos, played down the incident.
Reference-www.eleconomista.com.mx