Russia blasts satellite to smithereens, insists it didn't put astronauts in danger with space shrapnel

NASA
(Image credit: NASA via Getty Images)

Russia is insisting it didn't put astronauts in danger after conducting an anti-satellite missile test that the United States called out as "irresponsible."

Russia's Ministry of Defense confirmed on Tuesday it conducted a test that hit a Russian satellite, but it contended that "the resulting fragments, in terms of test time and orbital parameters, did not and will not pose a threat to orbital stations, spacecraft and space activities," NBC News reports.

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NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said Monday he was "outraged by this irresponsible and destabilizing action," adding it's "unthinkable that Russia would endanger not only the American and international partner astronauts on the ISS, but also their own cosmonauts." According to Nelson, astronauts had to undergo emergency safety procedures as a result of the debris generated. Nelson also told The Washington Post he was "quite concerned" about the astronauts' safety and that the debris could do "serious damage," while Price argued Russia's actions demonstrated that its "claims of opposing the weaponization of space are disingenuous."

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Brendan Morrow

Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.