- by cnn
- 15 Aug 2024
Russia has admitted to destroying one of its satellites during a missile test but rejected US accusations that it had endangered the International Space Station.
US officials on Monday accused Moscow of âdangerous and irresponsible behaviorâ after it conducted an anti-satellite weapons test that threatened the lives of the seven astronauts on board the ISS.
The move reignited concerns about an escalating arms race in space, encompassing everything from laser weapons to satellites capable of shunting others out of orbit.
On Tuesday, the Russian defence ministry said it had âsuccessfully conducted a test, as a result of which the Russian spacecraft âTselina-Dâ, which had been in orbit since 1982, was destroyedâ.
Russiaâs defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, later said the launch used a âpromisingâ system that âaccuratelyâ struck its target.
âThe fragments that formed do not pose any threat to space activity,â he added, as quoted by Russian news agencies.
When the gravity of the situation became clear on Monday, the astronauts aboard the ISS - four Americans, one German, and two Russians - were ordered to immediately seek shelter in their docked capsules.
A Delta Air Lines flight bound for New York City from Las Vegas made an emergency landing shortly after takeoff on October 29, 2024, due to fumes in the cockpit. Flight DL2133, originating from Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas and destined for LaGuardia Airport (LGA) in New York, reported an issue within minutes of departure, leading the crew to declare an emergency and return to the Las Vegas airport for a safe landing.
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