Scientist Stroikos: safer to test space weapons in low orbit Earth without posing a serious threat to the space assets of other countries. Such a safe method of destructive missile testing was named by Dimitrios Stroikos, a researcher at the London School of Economics and editor-in-chief of the international magazine Space Policy, in a commentary to Lente.ru.
Another option is non-destructive tests, that is, those in which satellites are not destroyed. According to him, the trend towards testing these two types was outlined after the launch of anti-satellite weapons by China in 2007: then a lot of space debris was formed, which led to strong criticism of the Chinese authorities. For example, the Indian tests in 2019 were carried out at a low altitude: then space debris also formed, but in smaller quantities than after the recent Russian launch.
“The development and testing of space weapons is an important trend, representing a fundamental problem for the long-term stability of space, “the scientist concluded.
On November 15, Russia conducted tests that hit the inoperative Russian Tselina-D spacecraft, which had been in orbit since 1982. According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, the fragments formed after being hit by anti-satellite weapons do not pose a threat to satellites and space activities. In response to the tests, the White House accused Russia of “neglect of security.” The administration of US President Joe Biden also promised that they would seek an answer with the allies to these actions of Moscow.