Indian space experiment holds 400 debris in space

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The Indian projection of one of its satellites on Earth's orbit by a rocket behind 400 space debris raises the risk for astronauts on the International Space Station, NASA's director said Monday. , Jim Brydenstein.

During a question-and-answer session with NASA staff in Washington, Brydenstein said that 400 space debris had been counted five days after India had tested its defense capabilities. We trace the pieces more than 10 centimeters in diameter and we counted about sixty, each with a number and we can find them, "he said.

The Indian satellite was dropped at a relatively low altitude of 300 km, well below the altitude of the International Space Station (410 km) and most satellites in orbit.

According to Jim Brydenstein, 24 of the 60 debris reached higher points than the ISS under the impact of the destruction.

"Creating an event that sends debris at an altitude higher than that of the International Space Station is really terrible.This type of activity is not commensurate with the future of piloted flights", which is "unacceptable".

The US Army collects space objects to predict the risk of collision not only for the International Space Station, but also for satellites. The army follows 23,000 objects with a diameter of more than 10 centimeters.

This includes 10,000 space debris, of which about 3,000 were caused by a single Chinese anti-satellite event in 2007, at an altitude of 860 kilometers from the surface.

Brydenstein said the risk of collision with the International Space Station had increased by 44% in 10 days due to the Indian experience. However, this danger will be "quickly" lost as most of the debris is at low altitude and will quickly disappear with the return to the atmosphere.