NASA says debris from a blown-up satellite could threaten the safety of astronauts aboard the International Space Station.
Last week, India tested a new anti-satellite weapon by firing a missile at a low-orbit satellite. The blast resulted in more than 400 pieces of ‘space debris’, some of which is headed towards the ISS’s orbital path.
A NASA administrator says floating space debris is a “terrible, terrible thing” and potentially dangerous for manned spaceflights and the ISS. Objects in orbit move at a rate of 17,000 miles per hour, so even a small collision could cause major damage.
Fortunately, NASA says the ISS is safe for now and that the debris should dissipate over time.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/nasa-space-junk-india-destroying-missile-threaten-international-space-station-terrible-thing-2019-4
