In the statement made by the China National Space Administration (CNSA), it was stated that the piece of debris passed within 14.5 meters of the Tsinghua Science Satellite.
In the statement, it was stated that the piece of debris was estimated to belong to the former Soviet intelligence satellite that Russia hit with a missile on October 15, 2021.
Noting that the satellite, which Russia targeted and destroyed with a missile, caused 1500 pieces of space debris moving stray in orbit, CNSA pointed out that the debris would pose a danger to the satellites in the future as well.
Liu Cing, Deputy Director of the CNSA and expert in the field of space debris, told the Global Times newspaper that they closely followed the situation of the debris that emerged since Russia hit the satellite with a missile, and the pieces were spread at an altitude of 400 to 1100 kilometers in Earth orbit.
Stating that most of the Chinese satellites are in orbital positions where the satellite debris spreads, Liu said, “When the pieces of debris come dangerously close, we need to immediately contact and maneuver the satellites to avoid collision. This is the most practical solution we can find for now.” used the expressions.
Russia’s missile test was criticized by the US, and Foreign Minister Anthony Blinken described it as an “irresponsible move”.
International Space Station NASA Program Director Robyn Gatens pointed out that the debris from the satellite hit by the missile increased the threat to the station and the astronauts serving there.
Data from radar tracking systems show that about 23,000 man-made objects larger than 10 centimeters are in orbit. In addition, it is predicted that more than 500 thousand pieces between 1 centimeter and 10 centimeters, which cannot be tracked with radar, move around the Earth.
Human artifacts, called “space debris” or “orbital debris” by scientists, circulating at high speed in Earth orbit pose a risk to satellites.
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