A Dead Russian Satellite Broke Into More Than 100 Pieces in Space
A decommissioned Russian satellite fractured in space on Wednesday, creating a cloud of debris in low Earth orbit that prompted astronauts aboard the International Space Station to take protective measures.
The satellite, which was orbiting about 220 miles above the ground, broke apart into more than 100 shards, according to an announcement on Thursday by U.S. Space Command, a Defense Department agency that executes military operations in space. Space Command added in its statement that there were “no immediate threats,” and that assessments of the situation were ongoing.
Known as Resurs P1, the satellite was launched in 2013 by Russia to observe Earth and produce imagery from space to assist with agriculture, meteorology, transportation and other purposes. Russia retired Resurs P1 in 2022. Since then, the satellite had slowly been losing altitude.
Roscosmos, the Russian space agency and the former operator of the defunct satellite, did not respond to a request for comment.
