Space debris specialist: the probability of collision at ISS height is low
Space debris specialist Andrei Nazarenko told Lenta.ru that the probability of collision with debris at the ISS height is small, and there is no great danger for the station. “During its existence, there has not been a single serious case, there have been blows of small particles,” he said.
Earlier, the US State Department accused Russia of testing anti-satellite weapons, after which 1,500 fragments were allegedly formed and hundreds of thousands more small fragments. threatening the safety of the ISS.
“Americans often frighten someone. The wreckage is dangerous, but the devil is not so terrible as he is painted. The situation is simple: if they form at an altitude of more than 500 kilometers, they are not scary. Why? Firstly, because at altitudes less than 500 kilometers, where the ISS flies, there are not so many debris, and secondly, they will not be there for a long time under the influence of braking, they will go down and burn up. And if the debris was formed at an altitude of more than 500 kilometers, then this is a sad circumstance, because at this altitude they will exist and accumulate for a thousand years, “the expert explained.
In addition, the ISS was warned of a possible collision with wreckage and performed maneuvers to avoid possible dangerous collisions, Nazarenko appeals.