An additional preventive measure of safeguarding the crew was executed for 2 passes through or near the area of the debris cloud. The space station is passing through or near the cloud every 90 minutes, however the requirement to shelter for just the second and third passes of the event was based on a danger assessment made by the debris workplace and ballistics professionals at NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Their actions are harmful and reckless, threatening as well the Chinese space station and the taikonauts on board.
Illustration of a satellite being damaged by area particles.
On Monday Moscow Standard Time, the International Space Station (ISS) Flight Control team was notified of signs of a satellite breakup that might develop enough particles to pose a conjunction threat to the station. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson launched the following statement about the incident:
” Earlier today, due to the particles produced by the harmful Russian Anti-Satellite (ASAT) test, ISS astronauts and cosmonauts undertook emergency situation procedures for security.
” Like Secretary Blinken, Im outraged by this destabilizing and irresponsible action. With its storied and long history in human spaceflight, it is unthinkable that Russia would threaten not only the American and worldwide partner astronauts on the ISS, however also their own cosmonauts. Their actions are reckless and harmful, threatening as well the Chinese area station and the taikonauts on board.
Astronauts and experiments on the International Space Station work to make life better on Earth and help humanity explore deep into the cosmos. Credit: NASA
” All countries have an obligation to prevent the purposeful production of space debris from ASATs and to promote a safe, sustainable area environment.
” NASA will continue monitoring the debris in the coming days and beyond to guarantee the safety of our crew in orbit.”
The team was awakened and directed to close the hatches to radial modules on the station, including Columbus, Kibo, the Permanent Multipurpose Module, Bigelow Expandable Activity Module, and Quest Joint Airlock. Hatches in between the U.S. and Russian sectors stay open.
An extra precautionary measure of sheltering the team was carried out for two go through or near the vicinity of the particles cloud. The team members made their way into their spacecraft shortly before 2 a.m. EST and remained there up until about 4 a.m. The area station is going through or near the cloud every 90 minutes, however the need to shelter for just the second and 3rd passes of the occasion was based upon a danger evaluation made by the particles office and ballistics specialists at NASAs Johnson Space Center in Houston.