Disintegrating Russian Satellite Forces ISS Astronauts to Take Shelter

Facts

• A disintegrating Russian satellite prompted nine astronauts living on the International Space Station (ISS) to take shelter inside their own spacecraft, NASA has revealed.¹
• The US Space Command detected 'over 100 pieces of trackable debris' from the Resurs P1 Earth observation satellite, decommissioned in 2021.²
• LeoLabs, a firm that monitors low Earth orbit, is now reportedly looking at some 180 objects from the disintegration, the cause of which is yet unknown.³
• Possible causes of the break-up include the explosion of a dead battery or collision with space junk. Astronomers also are considering the possibility that a deliberate explosion may have caused the event.⁴
• US Space Command said it had not observed any immediate threats from the debris.⁵
• The Resurs P1's breakup reportedly took place around 355 km (220 miles) above Earth. There are reportedly around 25K pieces of debris floating in space in low orbit larger than four inches (10 cm), which raises concerns about the increasing risk of crashes.⁶

Sources: ¹Sky News, ²The Moscow Times, ³SpaceNews, ⁴New York Times, ⁵United States Space Command and ⁶Reuters.

Narratives

• Narrative A, as provided by Guardian. Space debris is a worsening problem due to the rapid increase in disposable satellites. Besides raising the risk of mishaps, they potentially compromise the magnetosphere, Earth's protective plasma environment. That disrupts delicate systems that shield us from harmful solar radiation, risking long-term environmental damage. The unregulated launch of satellites could deflect or trap parts of Earth's magnetic field, which is a major concern.
• Narrative B, as provided by ECO. Better tracking and observation, space traffic management, and international cooperation are key to tackling the burgeoning space debris problem. Innovations like space radars, anti-collision guidelines, and end-of-life strategies could slow down accumulation. Harpoons and robotic arms are also being tested as part of innovative approaches to tackle the space junk conundrum.

Predictions