Current:Home > NewsRussian satellite breaks up, sends nearly 200 pieces of space debris into orbit-LoTradeCoin
Russian satellite breaks up, sends nearly 200 pieces of space debris into orbit
View Date:2024-12-23 19:27:25
A Russian satellite has broken up into at least 180 pieces of debris in space, forcing a NASA crew to temporarily shelter in place at the International Space Station, U.S. officials say.
The observation satellite RESURS-P1 Russian Earth, operated by Russia's space agency Roscosmos and declared dead in 2022, shattered in low-Earth orbit around noon E.T. on Wednesday, according to U.S. Space Command.
Space Command "has observed no threats" and is continuing to make assessments "to support the safety and sustainability of the space domain."
The agency did not specify what could have caused the breakup and Roscosmos has not responded to USA TODAY's request for comment.
NASA crew shelter in spacecraft for an hour
The debris from the satellite breakup led to NASA crew on aboard the space station to shelter in their respective spacecraft for an hour as a precaution.
Throughout that hour, Mission Control monitored the path of the debris before allowing the crew to exit and resume their operations, NASA wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Radars detected over at least 180 pieces of debris from the incident, U.S. space-tracking firm LeoLabs confirmed Thursday.
"We expect this number to increase in the coming days. We are actively analyzing the debris cloud to characterize it, identify a potential cause, and estimate the impact," LeoLabs wrote on X.
Debris in space could impact internet, communication
The addition of large debris in space can threaten satellite networks that are essential on Earth including internet use, communications and even navigation services. Also known as space junk, the pieces of non-operational satellites and other human-made objects can hurtle around Earth's orbit even after they stopped being operational.
The European Space Agency warned that multiplying detritus and subsequent cascade of collisions could make Earth's orbit unusable for space travel in a theoretical scenario known as the Kessler Syndrome.
In 2021, Russia was responsible for a blast that added thousands of orbital debris pieces. This occurred when a defunct satellite struck one of its ground-based anti-satellite missiles launched from Plesetsk rocket site.
In 2009, two satellites collided over Siberia adding far more more debris into space, according to an American Scientist report that year.
Scientists have raises concerns about Earth's rapidly overcrowding orbit with the ESA warning that the impact may be irreversible. Organizations around the world including the ESA and NASA have taken concrete action. Last year, ESA adopted the Zero Debris Charter, which seeks a global commitment to nearly eradicate space junk by 2030.
Contributing: Eric Lagatta
veryGood! (33)
Related
- See Chris Evans' Wife Alba Baptista Show Her Sweet Support at Red One Premiere
- First and 10: Texas is roaring into SEC, while Oklahoma is limping. What's up with Oregon?
- Top moments from the VMAs: Taylor's big night and Sabrina Carpenter kissed an alien
- Blue Jays pitcher Bowden Francis again loses no-hit bid on leadoff homer in 9th
- Ex-Duke star Kyle Singler draws concern from basketball world over cryptic Instagram post
- Utah citizen initiatives at stake as judge weighs keeping major changes off ballots
- The Sundance Film Festival may get a new home. Here are the 3 finalists
- Man's body found inside Food Lion grocery store freezer in Raleigh, NC: Reports
- Homes of Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce burglarized, per reports
- Tyreek Hill calls for firing of police officer involved in Sunday's incident
Ranking
- Jax Taylor Breaks Silence on Brittany Cartwright Dating His Friend Amid Their Divorce
- 16 Super Cute Finds That Look Like Other Things (But Are Actually Incredibly Practical!)
- 4-year-old child drowns after wandering from home in Mississippi
- 2024 VMAs: We're Down Bad for Taylor Swift's UFO-Inspired Wardrobe Change
- Singles' Day vs. Black Friday: Which Has the Best Deals for Smart Shoppers?
- Debate was an ‘eye opener’ in suburban Philadelphia and Harris got a closer look
- Taylor Swift endorsed Kamala Harris on Instagram. Caitlin Clark, Oprah and more approved.
- Where did the Mega Millions hit last night? Winning $810 million ticket purchased in Texas
Recommendation
-
Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul press conference highlights: 'Problem Child' goads 'Iron Mike'
-
Patrick Mahomes brushes off comments made about his wife, Brittany, by Donald Trump
-
Northern lights may be visible in 17 states: Where to see forecasted auroras in the US
-
Black rights activists convicted of conspiracy, not guilty of acting as Russian agents
-
What to know about Mississippi Valley State football player Ryan Quinney, who died Friday
-
Travis Kelce admits watching football while at US Open on 'New Heights' podcast
-
Georgia community grapples with questions, grief and a mass shooting
-
Conditions starting to 'deteriorate' in La. as Hurricane Francine nears: Live updates