Moscow: Russia admitted to destroying one of its satellites during a missile test but rejected US accusations that it had endangered the International Space Station (ISS).
US officials accused Russia of a “dangerous and irresponsible” strike on a satellite that had created a cloud of debris and forced the ISS crew to take evasive action.
The move reignited concerns about an escalating arms race in space, encompassing everything from laser weapons to satellites capable of shunting others out of orbit.
The Russian defense ministry said it had “successfully conducted a test, as a result of which the Russian spacecraft ‘Tselina-D’, which had been in orbit since 1982, was destroyed.”
Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu later said the launch used a “promising” system that “accurately” struck its target.
“The fragments that formed do not pose any threat to space activity,” he added, as quoted by Russian news agencies.
US officials said they were not informed in advance of the anti-satellite missile test, which generated more than 1,500 pieces of trackable orbital debris.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg described the test as a “reckless” and “concerning” act.
The Russian military said it was carrying out planned activities to strengthen its defense capabilities but denied that the test was dangerous. (Deccan Herald)
