The U.S. Space Command has confirmed the breakup of the decommissioned Russian satellite RESURS-P1. The satellite disintegrated into over 100 trackable pieces of debris on June 26, 2024, at approximately 10:00 a.m. Mountain Time (1600 UTC). This event added to the growing mass of space junk orbiting Earth and forced astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) to take cover.
The breakup, which occurred in low-Earth orbit, a region densely populated with active satellites and the ISS, prompted immediate safety measures. NASA reported that the U.S. astronauts on the ISS had to shelter in their spacecraft for about an hour. This precaution is part of the “safe haven” procedures where crew members take refuge in their spacecraft in case an emergency departure is required.
Space Command, Others Track Debris
U.S. Space Command, responsible for tracking space debris, confirmed the creation of over 100 pieces of trackable debris. By Thursday afternoon, space-tracking firm LeoLabs had detected at least 180 pieces. “Due to the low orbit of this debris cloud, we estimate it’ll be weeks to months before the hazard has passed,” LeoLabs stated in a message to Reuters wire service.
The exact cause of the RESURS-P1 breakup remains unclear. Jonathan McDowell, a researcher and space tracker, explained, “Such events can range from low-energy releases of a few pieces of debris due to insulation flaking off to energetic events due to a small impact or the explosion of an onboard battery.” The satellite, declared defunct by Russia in 2022, has now significantly contributed to the space debris problem.
Jonathan McDowell and other analysts speculate that the RESURS-P1 breakup may have been caused by an onboard issue, such as leftover fuel causing an explosion. When asked if the satellite disintegration may have been caused by an anti-satellite weapon’s test, McDowell noted, “I find it hard to believe they would use such a big satellite as an ASAT target. But, with the Russians these days, who knows.”
Large debris-generating events like this one are rare but increasingly concerning as space becomes more congested. The approximately 25,000 pieces of debris larger than four inches (10 cm) pose significant risks to active satellites and space missions. The breakup of RESURS-P1 occurred at an altitude of roughly 355 kilometers (220 miles), a region shared by many critical satellite networks, including SpaceX’s Starlink and China’s satellites.
Wilmore and Williams Shelter In Starliner
The ISS crew’s precautionary measures highlight the immediate threat posed by space debris. NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams boarded their Starliner spacecraft while other crew members took shelter in the Crew Dragon and Soyuz capsules. This event demonstrates the importance of comprehensive debris tracking and mitigation strategies to ensure the safety and sustainability of space operations.
Roscosmos Silent On Breakup
Russian space agency Roscosmos, responsible for the RESURS-P1 satellite, has not publicly commented on the incident or acknowledged it on social media. This lack of communication raises questions about the transparency and coordination necessary to manage space debris effectively.
The growing volume of space debris has amplified calls from space advocates and legal experts for an international mechanism to manage space traffic. Currently, no such system exists, making coordinated efforts to mitigate debris risks all the more urgent.
More than 9,000 metric tons of human-made metal and machinery are orbiting Earth, including satellites, shrapnel, and the International Space Station. A significant bulk of that mass comes from one source: the nearly a thousand dead rockets that have been discarded in space since the space age began.
Historically, Russia has faced criticism for contributing to space debris. In 2021, it conducted an anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test, destroying one of its defunct satellites and creating thousands of pieces of debris. This test drew condemnation from the U.S. and other Western countries, particularly in the context of increasing geopolitical tensions.
Trackable space debris is typically at least two inches in diameter, but even smaller fragments can cause significant damage due to the high velocities involved. This incident underscores the need for comprehensive debris tracking and mitigation strategies to ensure the safety and sustainability of space activities.
In an incident earlier this year,, a family in Naples, Florida, experienced the dangers of space debris firsthand when a piece of a jettisoned battery pallet from the ISS tore through their home in March. The family is now seeking damages from NASA.
