‘TERRIBLE THING’

NASA: India Missile Strike on Satellite Could Hurt the ISS

The risk of debris colliding with the space station has climbed by 44 percent.

NASA has hit out at India for firing a missile at a satellite, warning the debris released from the strike could collide with the International Space Station. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the test last week, saying the strike established India as a “space power.” NASA is less pleased. “That is a terrible, terrible thing to create an event that sends debris in an apogee that goes above the International Space Station,” said space agency chief Jim Bridenstine. “And that kind of activity is not compatible with the future of human spaceflight that we need to see have happen.” Bridenstine said the risk of debris colliding with the ISS had risen by 44 percent over 10 days due to the test, and added the ISS might have to be moved to keep it safe. Delhi has insisted its test was safe, claiming it carried it out in low-earth orbit to not leave space debris that could hit the ISS or satellites. “That’s why we did it at lower altitude; it will vanish in no time,” said G Satheesh Reddy, the chief of India’s Defense Research and Development Organization.

MOONSHOT

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