Space experts are criticising Russia’s anti-missile test that spewed thousands of pieces of space debris around Earth’s orbit.
On Monday night, astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) had to seek emergency shelter, on account of the debris created by the satellite break-up.
The US Space Command said the test struck the Cosmos 1408 satellite, creating more than 1,500 orbital debris pieces, which are expected to generate hundreds of thousands of smaller pieces.
“Russia has demonstrated a deliberate disregard for the security, safety, stability and long-term sustainability of the space domain for all nations,” US Army General James Dickinson, a commander at US Space Command, said in a statement.
“The debris created by Russia's DA-ASAT [direct-ascent anti-satellite missile test] will continue to pose a threat to activities in outer space for years to come, putting satellites and space missions at risk, as well as forcing more collision avoidance manoeuvres. Space activities underpin our way of life and this kind of behaviour is simply irresponsible.”
Last week, the ISS was forced to change course after debris created by a Chinese anti-satellite missile test entered the flight path of the space station.
Experts have been voicing concerns over the growing problem of space debris, as Earth’s orbit becomes more crowded.
There are about 2,700 active satellites that share orbits with 8,800 tonnes of space debris, according to the European Space Agency. The debris includes thousands of discarded rocket stages and defunct satellites.
Space debris can collide with the space station or satellites, threatening the lives of astronauts and causing disruption to internet services, Earth imaging and weather monitoring.
In June, a piece of space debris hit the space station, leaving a hole in the lab’s robotic arm.
Private companies working in space also criticised Russia’s anti-satellite test at the Dubai Airshow’s Space Forum on Tuesday.
Jean-Marc Nasr, head of space systems at Airbus Defence and Space, said that countries need to responsibly de-orbit their satellites — bring satellites down to burn up in the atmosphere or move them to a safe orbit — to prevent space debris.
“I wish all countries in the world understand that they should de-orbit satellites at the end of their lifetime and not leave anything dirty in orbit as we do in our oceans”, he told The National.
“I hope what happened is a wake-up call for each and every country because we cannot afford to do this.”
Airbus satellites are deliberately manoeuvred to burn up in the atmosphere or are sent into “graveyard orbit” where no other satellites are crossing.
Mr Nasr said there needs to be a global law that ensures countries are being responsible in space in their own way.
“This needs to be done by everybody. It has to be the law for everyone because in about 10 years there could be approximately 50,000 satellites in orbit. We just can’t afford to go wrong or there will be no safe place in orbit.”
Dubai Airshow over the years — in pictures
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
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SPECS
Nissan 370z Nismo
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Polarised public
31% in UK say BBC is biased to left-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is biased to right-wing views
19% in UK say BBC is not biased at all
Source: YouGov
What are NFTs?
Are non-fungible tokens a currency, asset, or a licensing instrument? Arnab Das, global market strategist EMEA at Invesco, says they are mix of all of three.
You can buy, hold and use NFTs just like US dollars and Bitcoins. “They can appreciate in value and even produce cash flows.”
However, while money is fungible, NFTs are not. “One Bitcoin, dollar, euro or dirham is largely indistinguishable from the next. Nothing ties a dollar bill to a particular owner, for example. Nor does it tie you to to any goods, services or assets you bought with that currency. In contrast, NFTs confer specific ownership,” Mr Das says.
This makes NFTs closer to a piece of intellectual property such as a work of art or licence, as you can claim royalties or profit by exchanging it at a higher value later, Mr Das says. “They could provide a sustainable income stream.”
This income will depend on future demand and use, which makes NFTs difficult to value. “However, there is a credible use case for many forms of intellectual property, notably art, songs, videos,” Mr Das says.
THREE POSSIBLE REPLACEMENTS
Khalfan Mubarak
The Al Jazira playmaker has for some time been tipped for stardom within UAE football, with Quique Sanchez Flores, his former manager at Al Ahli, once labelling him a “genius”. He was only 17. Now 23, Mubarak has developed into a crafty supplier of chances, evidenced by his seven assists in six league matches this season. Still to display his class at international level, though.
Rayan Yaslam
The Al Ain attacking midfielder has become a regular starter for his club in the past 15 months. Yaslam, 23, is a tidy and intelligent player, technically proficient with an eye for opening up defences. Developed while alongside Abdulrahman in the Al Ain first-team and has progressed well since manager Zoran Mamic’s arrival. However, made his UAE debut only last December.
Ismail Matar
The Al Wahda forward is revered by teammates and a key contributor to the squad. At 35, his best days are behind him, but Matar is incredibly experienced and an example to his colleagues. His ability to cope with tournament football is a concern, though, despite Matar beginning the season well. Not a like-for-like replacement, although the system could be adjusted to suit.
Groom and Two Brides
Director: Elie Semaan
Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla
Rating: 3/5
Director: Paul Weitz
Stars: Kevin Hart
3/5 stars
Quick facts on cancer
- Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases
- About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime
- By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million
- 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries
- This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030
- At least one third of common cancers are preventable
- Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers
- Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
strategies
- The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
TOUCH RULES
Touch is derived from rugby league. Teams consist of up to 14 players with a maximum of six on the field at any time.
Teams can make as many substitutions as they want during the 40 minute matches.
Similar to rugby league, the attacking team has six attempts - or touches - before possession changes over.
A touch is any contact between the player with the ball and a defender, and must be with minimum force.
After a touch the player performs a “roll-ball” - similar to the play-the-ball in league - stepping over or rolling the ball between the feet.
At the roll-ball, the defenders have to retreat a minimum of five metres.
A touchdown is scored when an attacking player places the ball on or over the score-line.
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE
