Early last week India's space agency blew one of its own satellites to pieces in low orbit to show that it is a power in space. For context, find our previous blog on the matter here.
A ballistic missile defence (BMD) interceptor takes off to hit one of India’s satellites last week.
"That is a terrible, terrible thing to create an event that sends debris in an apogee that goes above the International Space Station, and that kind of activity is not compatible with the future of human spaceflight that we need to see happen." head of NASA Jim Bridenstine has stated.
Debris flies at tremendous speeds and can cause major damage upon collision, something possible for the International Space Station...
India's Ministry of External Affairs has stated that the test was completed in low orbit, posing no threat to the ISS and that the pieces will decay and fall to Earth within weeks.
However, Bridenstine counters saying that 60 pieces are being tracked and 24 pose an immediate threat to the ISS, with some shrapnel shards going past the trajectory of the ISS.
Aussie space archaeologist, Alice Gorman, has stated that these missions are "purely and simply a visible demonstration of power", and stands as the voice of reason in our honest opinion.
Should the ISS run afoul of debris from the destroyed satellite the occupants must flee the station in escape pods.
We will keep you updated as events, and tensions, dictate.
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