[glax]

Acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan earlier played down the threat the debris might pose to satellites in space and said it was his understanding the debris would eventually burn up in the atmosphere. Asked on Thursday whether the Pentagon stood by Shanahan's earlier assessment, spokesman Charlie Summers said: "Yes."

So it whose wordings are correct ?

Pentagon or NASA ?

The ASAT test was specifically conducted at the orbit of 380Km less than the maximum range of 100Kms because the residues will gradually decompose within weeks and there will be almost none interference to existing or upcoming orbital paths.

The Micro satellite was specifically chosen for this purpose. There is no reason for Nationalism in this.

[Abishek_Muthian]

US DOD was informed prior ASAT test & their non objection stems in we being their strategic partner.

It doesn't mean the number of debris in higher apogee or the their probability to cause harm is false(how ever low the probability might be). Anyone can verify the same, if they have the means.

NASA is answerable to public & that they did. Just like our ISRO is.

I see many, including media confusing between ISRO & DRDO in this context. DRDO was the one which conducted the ASAT test, even if ISRO was involved somehow it shouldn't be advertised; just like how NASA's involvement in any US defence related activity is contained.

The term 'peaceful space exploration' exists for a reason.

[craftyguy]

> Acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan

Why would a former Beoing executive, who has had nothing to do with Beoing's space-related ventures in his 30 years there, know anything about orbital mechanics?

> the Pentagon stood by Shanahan's earlier assessment

Why would anyone at the pentagon who wanted to keep their job/position publicly release a conflict with a statement from their upper management?