The United States does not seem to want a new Star Wars. US Vice President Kamala Harris said on Monday that the United States will no longer test anti-satellite missiles (ASAT), in an effort to reduce space debris and the damage it can cause to satellites and other objects. vital spaces. This commitment is the first initiative taken in the framework of a series of proposals drawn up by the American authorities to establish “national security space standards”.
“The destruction of space objects by direct-ascent anti-satellite missile testing is reckless and irresponsible,” the US vice president said in a statement. A formula that is not without targeting Vladimir Putin’s Russia, guilty of having launched a devastating missile into space at the end of last year. The latter had been at the origin of a cloud of debris located at an altitude close to that of the International Space Station, thus endangering its crew … among which were then Russian cosmonauts.
“The long-lived debris created by these tests now threatens satellites and other space objects that are vital to the security, economy and scientific interests of all nations, and increases the risk to astronauts in space. . Taken together, these tests jeopardize the long-term viability of space and undermine the exploration and use of space by all nations,” argues Kamala Harris.
Clean space
If the decision of the United States is not without ulterior motive, it makes our American neighbor the first country to make such a declaration. The US position should, according to the White House, push other countries to do the same in order to establish a “new international standard for responsible behavior in space”.
“Developing a common understanding of what constitutes safe and responsible space activities contributes to a more stable space environment by reducing the risk of miscommunication and miscalculation,” adds Kamala Harris.
For the American vice-president, “this is all the more important since there is an ever-increasing number of States and non-governmental entities that depend on space services and assets vulnerable to debris”. And to add that such a commitment will help demonstrate how space activities can be “carried out in a responsible, peaceful and sustainable manner”.
“Space cleaning is no longer optional”
Anti-satellite missile tests have already been carried out by countries such as the United States, China, India and Russia.
Two years ago, the European Space Agency (ESA) struck an 86 million euro deal with ClearSpace SA to clean up orbit with spacecraft equipped with grippers designed to catch space junk. At the time of the announcement, the spacecraft was scheduled to launch in 2025.
“Cleaning up space is no longer optional,” defends ClearSpace. “The disposal of human-made space debris has become necessary and is our responsibility so that future generations can continue to benefit from space infrastructure and exploration. »