Space station remains at risk from Russian weapons test debris, NASA says

The International Space Station remains at increased risk from orbiting debris following this week’s Russian weapons test, NASA says.

On Monday, Russia launched a missile to destroy a satellite orbiting just above the space station.

NASA said late Wednesday that the highest threat to the station and its seven residents was in the first 24 hours.

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Hatches between many of the station compartments were closed as a precaution, but they were reopened on Wednesday.

The US Space Command is tracking more than 1500 satellite fragments, but hundreds of thousands of pieces are too small to see.

NASA and the State Department have condemned the missile strike, saying it also puts satellites and China’s space station at risk.

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The International Space Station is seen as astronauts in the SpaceX Dragon capsule undock.

NASA said it’s reviewing an upcoming spacewalk and other station operations, to assess the risks before proceeding.

The spacewalk to replace a bad antenna is targeted for November 30.

The space agency also plans continued inspections for potential damage.

The space station currently is home to four Americans, two Russians and one German.

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Space station remains at risk from Russian weapons test debris, NASA says
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