US: "Russian Satellite Interceptor Missile Test is Irresponsible and Dangerous"

1500 Fragments Spread into Space Due to Satellite Destruction... ISS Threatened
US Department of Defense Criticizes "Russia Did Not Notify Missile Test in Advance"

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] The U.S. government has strongly condemned Russia's satellite interception missile test as irresponsible and dangerous. Russia's unilateral execution of the test without prior notice created satellite debris that threatens the safety of the International Space Station (ISS), prompting expected international criticism. Diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and Russia, already strained over the Ukraine border conflict, are anticipated to worsen further.

On the 15th (local time), Ned Price, spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, stated at a press briefing, "This morning, Russia conducted a reckless satellite interception missile test targeting one of its own satellites," adding, "Russia's dangerous and irresponsible actions have jeopardized the long-term safety of space and threatened the safety of astronauts aboard the ISS." He further condemned Russia, saying, "Russia's claims opposing the weaponization of space have been revealed as hypocritical."

According to CNN, earlier that day, Russia fired a satellite interception missile at an old satellite operated during the Soviet era, which was reportedly destroyed. The destruction generated approximately 1,500 pieces of debris drifting in space, raising concerns about potential collisions with the ISS and warnings that the safety of astronauts aboard the ISS could be endangered.

John Kirby, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, also said at a press conference, "Russia irresponsibly failed to provide prior notice of this missile test," emphasizing, "We will continue to closely monitor how Russia's developing satellite interception technology may pose threats to our national security." The U.S. Space Command expressed concerns that the debris spreading through space could cause collisions not only with the ISS but also with satellites of other countries, potentially causing malfunctions.

Regarding the issue, the Russian government has not issued any significant comments, while the Russian state space corporation Roscosmos released a statement saying only that "the distance between the debris and the ISS has increased, and the ISS is in a safe green zone." Russia had previously faced international criticism in April for conducting a satellite interception missile test without prior notice.

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