posted 11-15-2021 12:28 PM               

NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei checked in at the end of the crew's day at about 12 p.m. EST (1700 GMT):

Thanks for a crazy but well-coordinated day, we really appreciated all the situational awareness you gave us. It was certainly a great way to bond as a crew, starting off our very first workday in space.

We're looking forward to a calmer day tomorrow.

From Jonathan McDowell (via Twitter):

With LeoLabs confirming debris "near" Kosmos-1408 and CNN quoting U.S. officials that there was an ASAT test, rumours are solidifying into a consistent story that indeed a Russian antisatellite test on Nov. 13 or 14 hit Kosmos-1408 causing a debris cloud intersecting the ISS orbit.

posted 11-15-2021 01:40 PM               

Earlier today, the Russian Federation recklessly conducted a destructive satellite test of a direct ascent and anti-satellite missile against one of its own satellites. The test has so far generated over 1,500 pieces of trackable orbital debris and hundreds of thousands of pieces of smaller orbital debris that now threaten the interests of all nations.

This test will significantly increase the risk to astronauts and cosmonauts on the International Space Station, as well as to other human spaceflight activities. Russia's dangerous and irresponsible behavior jeopardizes the long term sustainability of outer space and clearly demonstrates that Russia's claims of opposing the weaponization of space are disingenuous and hypocritical. The United States will work with our allies and partners to respond to Russia's irresponsible act.

NASA Administrator Statement on Russian ASAT Test

On Monday Moscow Standard Time, the International Space Station (ISS) Flight Control team was notified of indications of a satellite breakup that may create sufficient debris to pose a conjunction threat to the station. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson released the following statement about the incident:

"Earlier today, due to the debris generated by the destructive Russian Anti-Satellite (ASAT) test, ISS astronauts and cosmonauts undertook emergency procedures for safety.

"Like Secretary Blinken, I'm outraged by this irresponsible and destabilizing action. With its long and storied history in human spaceflight, it is unthinkable that Russia would endanger not only the American and international partner astronauts on the ISS, but also their own cosmonauts. Their actions are reckless and dangerous, threatening as well the Chinese space station and the taikonauts on board.

"All nations have a responsibility to prevent the purposeful creation of space debris from ASATs and to foster a safe, sustainable space environment.

"NASA will continue monitoring the debris in the coming days and beyond to ensure the safety of our crew in orbit."

The crew was awakened and directed to close the hatches to radial modules on the station, including Columbus, Kibo, the Permanent Multipurpose Module, Bigelow Expandable Activity Module, and Quest Joint Airlock. Hatches between the U.S. and Russian segments remain open.

An additional precautionary measure of sheltering the crew was executed for two passes through or near the vicinity of the debris cloud. The crew members made their way into their spacecraft shortly before 2 a.m. EST and remained there until about 4 a.m. The space station is passing through or near the cloud every 90 minutes, but the need to shelter for only the second and third passes of the event was based on a risk assessment made by the debris office and ballistics specialists at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

posted 11-15-2021 10:27 PM               

I would suspect that for an event such as this, that would pit major internal players against each other, that the top person, e.g. Putin, would have to make the final decision. Aside from the stupidity of the decision, it would be interesting to know what it was that made Putin green light the test.

posted 11-16-2021 09:53 AM               

"On November 15, the Defense Ministry of Russia successfully conducted a test, in which the Russian defunct Tselina-D satellite in orbit since 1982 was struck," the statement says.

As the ministry pointed out, the fragments emerging after the defunct Tselina-D Soviet-era satellite was destroyed during the tests will not pose any threat to orbital stations, satellites and space activity.

"The United States knows for certain that the emerging fragments at the time of the test and in terms of the orbit’s parameters did not and will not pose any threat to orbital stations, satellites and space activity," the ministry said.

posted 11-16-2021 11:26 AM               

At 19.00 Moscow time, I had a detailed telephone conversation with the head of the NASA administration, Senator Nelson. The parties stated ... Okay. In short, in Russian, we are moving on, ensuring the safety of our crews on the ISS, making joint plans.

posted 11-16-2021 03:00 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by SkyMan1958:
I would suspect that for an event such as this, that would pit major internal players against each other, that the top person...

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posted 11-16-2021 03:31 PM               

At today's afternoon (US time) daily planning conference, the USOS ISS crew was told they'll be clear to reopen the Columbus module, Kibo, Tranquility, BEAM and Quest airlock tomorrow; they were closed off Monday as a precaution in the wake of the Cosmos 1408 breakup.

The debris cloud has spread out somewhat and while it still poses a threat, MCC-Houston told the crew "we are pressing with going in and opening the hatches to the rest of the modules on the US segment in the morning. ... We're all excited to get you back in there."

Astronaut Mark Vande Hei told MCC the crew preferred notes on when passes through the debris cloud were expected, not distracting verbal warnings, unless "the hazard gets worse;" otherwise, he said, "we're going to consider the debris passings routine."

posted 11-18-2021 09:20 AM               

Crew Operations Aboard Space Station Return to Normal

NASA and U.S. Space Command continue to monitor the debris cloud created by a recent Russian anti-satellite test. The International Space Station and crew members are safe and have resumed normal operations. The largest risk from the debris was in the first 24 hours and telemetry from the space station indicates no issues during that time. About 1:20 a.m. EST today [Nov. 17], radial hatches extending from the space station's center, including Kibo, Columbus, the Permanent Multipurpose Module, Bigelow Expandable Activity Module, and Quest Joint Airlock, were reopened.

Following the incident, crew members were awoken, notified of the debris and asked to close specific hatches based on the space station's safe haven procedures. Hatches between the U.S. and Russian segments also were closed initially, but were later opened when the higher risk period passed. Crew members' daily tasks were adjusted during this time to accommodate the hatch closure. After closing the hatches, the crew then entered their Soyuz and Crew Dragon spacecraft for approximately two hours, from 2 a.m. – 4 a.m. EST. No debris avoidance maneuver was performed.

Space debris is tracked by Space Command and conjunction analysis is performed by NASA, with mitigations available for debris clouds and individual conjunction threats (such as debris avoidance maneuvers). If orbital debris were to strike the station and cause an air leak, the crew would close hatches to the affected module. If crew members do not have time to close the affected module, they would enter their respective spacecraft and, if necessary, undock from the space station to return to Earth.

This debris cloud that was just created has increased the risk to the station. The cataloging of the total number of identifiable pieces of debris is ongoing. Once the debris cloud is dispersed and items are tracked and catalogued, NASA will receive notifications of potential conjunction threats to the station and perform maneuvers as necessary. In addition, NASA will continue to perform visual inspections and review telemetry data to ensure vehicle health.

Teams are assessing the risk levels to conduct various mission activities. Any changes to launches, spacewalks, and other events will be updated as needed.