The test of an anti-satellite weapon by Russia has angered the United States as well as Britain. The Russians spoke up and acknowledged the test, but they denied it had caused any problems in space.
The crux of the problem is that the destruction of the satellite by Russian missiles leads to a lot of debris in space which is feared will endanger the satellites operating now and in the long term. Even this test forced the astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) to take shelter in shelters.
"This devastating test of anti-satellite weapons by Russia shows they have no respect for security, safety and sustainability in outer space," said British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace.
The Russian Ministry of Defense confirmed that it had successfully tested the anti-satellite weapon, destroying the Russian spacecraft Tselina-D, which has been in Earth orbit since 1982 and is no longer in use.
Russia's Defense Minister, Sergei Shoigu, said their system accurately hit the satellite and said the debris was completely harmless.
"The fragments that are formed do not pose any danger to activity in outer space," he said.
The Russian military also acknowledged that it had carried out tests as planned to strengthen its defense capabilities, but denied there was any danger. They claim the United States is just making it up and knows what's really going on.
"The United States knows for sure that the resulting debris, in terms of time and parameters in orbit, does not and will not pose a threat to orbital stations, spacecraft or activity in space," the Russian military said.
