The United States strongly condemns Russia's test of an anti-satellite weapon, in the form of a missile fired into space. One of the American generals warned that they would not tolerate such a dangerous act.
The test destroyed one of Russia's old satellites with a missile, causing a lot of debris that is said to be very dangerous, even forcing astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) to take shelter in shelters.
The missile fire has so far produced more than 1,500 detectable debris and hundreds of thousands of other small pieces. This is considered a danger to other satellites not only now, but in the long term.
If there is damage to other satellites as a result of being exposed or hit by the debris, the US says the consequences could be dire. For example, disrupting cell phone networks, weather forecasts, to GPS and banking systems.
"Russia willfully ignores the security, safety, stability and long-term sustainability of space for the entire nation," said General James Dickinson of US Space Command.
"The debris produced by this Russian weapons system will continue to pose a threat in space for years to come, forcing maneuvers to avoid it. Space activity is very important to our daily lives and this kind of behavior is irresponsible," he warned.
He had made similar criticisms of Russia's weapons activities in space some time ago. "We are ready and committed to deter aggression and defend our country and our allies from dangerous acts in space," he said.
NASA boss Bill Nelson also expressed his frustration. Not only endangering the ISS, he said the test also threatened China's space station.
"I am outraged at this irresponsible act. With its long space history, it was unthinkable that Russia would endanger not only American astronauts and their partners on the ISS, but their own cosmonauts," he said.
