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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The UAE's Air Force Aerobatic Team, Al-Fursan, performs stunts at the Dubai Airshow in 2019. Karim Sahib / AFP -
Visitors arrive at the Dubai Airshow in 2019. Karim Sahib / AFP -
The Royal Air Force, UK Trade and Investment stand at the air show in 2013. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Guests walk past the flydubai B737-700 BBJ plane at the show in 2013. Sarah Dea / The National -
Visitors walk past the Emirates Airbus A380-800 plane in 2013. Sarah Dea / The National -
Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation, CEO and Chairman of The Emirates Group and Chairman of Dubai World, steps out from the Legacy 650 by Embraer at the show in 2013. Sarah Dea / The National -
A media flight onboard the Airbus Military A400M MRTT in 2013. Christopher Pike / The National -
Planes form a line at the air show. Pawan Singh / The National -
The Pakistan Aeronautical Complex stand at the 2015 Dubai Airshow. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed examines a Bell helicopter. Pawan Singh / The National -
An Iomax Arch Angel border security aircraft at the 2015 Dubai Airshow. Antonie Robertson / The National -
The 2015 Dubai Airshow. Antonie Robertson / The National -
Crowds flock to the show in 2015. Antonie Robertson / The National -
A media flight onboard the Airbus Military A400M MRTT in 2013. Christopher Pike / The National -
Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed visits the show. Pawan Singh / The National -
Visitors walk by a Hawk Advanced Jet Trainer model at the BAE Systems stand. Sarah Dea / The National -
Visitors attend the show in 2014. Pawan Singh / The National -
Back in 2005, the Airbus A380, sporting the colors of air carrier Emirates, takes off. AFP -
A LEAP high-bypass turbofan engine on display in 2013. Sarah Dea / The National -
An Emirates Airline A380 leads the Al Fursan aerobatic display team during the opening ceremony in 2017. AP Photo / Kamran Jebreili -
The Al Fursan team puts on a dazzling display in 2019. Reuters / Christopher Pike -
A Dubai Airshow press briefing gets under way, led by Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed. Photo: Tarasus
