Path of the debris from Russia’s Nov. 15 ASAT missile test over the first 24 hours after impact with the Soviet-era Cosmos 1408 satellite, according to COMSPOC. (COMSPOC/CSSI volumetric analysis, with rendering by AGI, an Ansys Company) WASHINGTON: The Biden administration is pledging not to test destructive ground-launched anti-satellite missiles, a novel if narrow promise| USSA News
NASA Director Nelson Was Correct to Criticize China
Commentary
After days of mounting frustration with China’s refusal to account for its out-of-control 21-ton Long March-5 booster stage, newly-confirmed National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Director, the former astronaut and Senator Bill Nelson, called out the Chinese regime with some needed criticism.
In a press release posted on the NASA webpage on May 8, Nelson stated, “Spacefaring nations must minimize the risks to people and property on Earth of re-entries of space objects and maximize transparency regarding those operations. It is clear that China is failing to meet responsible standards regarding their space debris.”
If you would like to see more articles like this please support our coverage of the space program by becoming a
Spaceflight Now Member. If everyone who enjoys our website helps fund it, we can expand and improve our coverage further.
The core stage of China’s Long March 5B rocket, seen here before launch, re-entered the atmosphere over the Arabian Peninsula and Indian Ocean late Saturday. Credit: Xinhua
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said Saturday that China is failing to meet “responsible standards” on space debris after a massive Long March rocket stage fell back to Earth over the Indian Ocean in an uncontrolled re-entry that is likely to be repeated with additional launches next year.
Re-entry of the space junk is expected Saturday within an 18-hour window
The re-entry prediction for the Long March 5B rocket body from The Aerospace Corp.‘s Center for Orbital and Re-entry Debris Studies from earlier this week. The ground traces shown in the above image extend the full uncertainty window for re-entry with predictions expected to improve as re-entry draws closer. (The Aerospace Corp. photo) By Janene Scully, Noozhawk North County Editor | @JaneneScully
May 7, 2021
| 8:39 p.m.
Some Vandenberg Air Force Base members have been keeping a close eye on out-of-control debris from a Chinese rocket as they calculate as close as possible when and where the space junk might land.