Russian Satellite Debris Forces ISS Astronauts to Shelter
Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) were forced to shelter due to potential impacts with space debris from a defunct Russian satellite, RESURS-P1. The satellite, a high-resolution Earth imaging device launched in 2013, fragmented into over 100 pieces while in low Earth orbit. The debris cloud was detected by U.S. radars and was orbiting approximately 30 miles below the ISS's typical altitude of 250 miles.
The fragmentation incident prompted mission control to direct the astronauts to take precautionary measures. The crew sheltered in their spacecraft for about an hour as a safety measure. There were no immediate details on what caused the satellite to break apart. U.S. Space Command and NASA have stated there were no immediate threats observed, and the ISS has since resumed normal operations. The event is being closely monitored as routine assessments continue to ensure the safety and sustainability of the space domain.
