At a time when the Russian war machine appears to be steadily gaining an upper hand on the battlefield, there was panic in Washington. At this moment, there are just 4 nations in the world - The United States, Russia, China & India have the capacity to shoot down satellites from space. Everything in the modern world, from communications such as phones, internet, radio and television, to navigation via GPS, to weather forecasting, to banking services, to agriculture, everything depends on satellites for its normal functioning. What is now being suspected is that Russia is now developing nuclear anti-satellite weapons. For which the western world led by the United States, at this moment has no counter to! So how does a nuclear anti-satellite weapon work? And what advantage do nuclear anti-satellite weapons have over their conventional counterparts? Mohammed Saleh gets you the details.

Russia's Nuclear Anti-Satellite weapon sparks a scare in US amidst Ukraine War

A Russian anti-satellite test has put the world on edge. Moscow destroyed a satellite that has disintegrated into thousands of pieces in space. The space junk could put several other satellites in peril. Palki Sharma tells you why anti-satellite tests are problematic.

Gravitas: Russia destroys satellite, releases big cloud of 'space junk'

The US military said it had detected "debris-generating" event in space indicating an anti-satellite weapon's test (ASAT) had taken place.

Reuters quoting an official said Russia may have carried out an anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons test over the weekend.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-tests-anti-satellite-weapon-as-space-war-takes-new-turn-315787">Also Read:&nbsp;Russia tests anti-satellite weapon as space war takes new turn</a>

The US Space Command said: "We are actively working to characterise the debris field and will continue to ensure all space-faring nations have the information necessary to manoeuvre satellites if impacted."

The Space Command said it was working with NASA and the State Department to investigate the report.&nbsp;

According to a CNN report, Russia's space agency, Roscomos reported the crew aboard International Space Station(ISS) wore spacesuits and had to get into the spacecraft in case it was hit with debris, however, it added that it was unclear if the debris was generated by Russia's reported ASAT test.

However, Roscomos in a tweet said it was in the "green zone" and that the space station crew routinely perform operations according to the flight programme.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
The <a href="https://twitter.com/Space_Station?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Space_Station</a> crew is routinely performing operations according to the flight program. 
 
The orbit of the object, which forced the crew today to move into spacecraft according to standard procedures, has moved away from the ISS orbit. 
 
The station is in the green zone. <a href="https://t.co/MVHVACSpmT">pic.twitter.com/MVHVACSpmT</a>
— РОСКОСМОС (@roscosmos) <a href="https://twitter.com/roscosmos/status/1460256220124782595?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 15, 2021</a></blockquote>
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Russia hasn't confirmed the test.&nbsp;Russia had&nbsp;carried out an anti-satellite test&nbsp;last year.

(With inputs from Agencies)

The US military said it had detected "debris-generating" event in space indicating an anti-satellite weapon's test (ASAT) had taken place. Reuters quoting an official said Russia may have carried out an anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons test over the weekend.

The US military said it had detected "debris-generating" event in space indicating an anti-satellite weapon's test (ASAT) had taken place. Reuters quoting an official said Russia may have carried out an anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons test over the weekend. Also Read: Russia tests anti-satellite weapon as space war takes new turn The US Space Command said: "We are actively working to characterise the debris field and will continue to ensure all space-faring nations have the information necessary to manoeuvre satellites if impacted." The Space Command said it was working with NASA and the State Department to investigate the report. According to a CNN report, Russia's space agency, Roscomos reported the crew aboard International Space Station(ISS) wore spacesuits and had to get into the spacecraft in case it was hit with debris, however, it added that it was unclear if the debris was generated by Russia's reported ASAT test. However, Roscomos in a tweet said it was in the "green zone" and that the space station crew routinely perform operations according to the flight programme. The @Space_Station crew is routinely performing operations according to the flight program. The orbit of the object, which forced the crew today to move into spacecraft according to standard procedures, has moved away from the ISS orbit. The station is in the green zone. pic.twitter.com/MVHVACSpmT — РОСКОСМОС (@roscosmos) November 15, 2021 × Russia hasn't confirmed the test. Russia had carried out an anti-satellite test last year. (With inputs from Agencies)

'Debris generating event': Reports say Russia may have carried out anti-satellite weapons test

The United States and NASA condemned Russia for launching a "dangerous and irresponsible" missile strike that blew up a Russian satellite and created a debris cloud that forced the crew of International Space Station (ISS) to take evasive action.

According to officials, Washington was not notified of the test, which was only the fourth ever to hit a spacecraft from the ground.

There is renewed concern over the growing space arms race, which covers everything from the development of satellites capable of shunting others out of orbit to laser weapons.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/debris-generating-event-reports-say-russia-may-have-carried-out-anti-satellite-weapons-test-429627">'Debris generating event': Reports say Russia may have carried out anti-satellite weapons test</a>

"The Russian Federation recklessly conducted a destructive test of a direct-ascent anti-satellite missile against one of its own satellites," said Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in a statement.

He added that over 1,500 trackable pieces of orbital debris were produced by the "dangerous and irresponsible test," which will likely result in hundreds of thousands of smaller pieces.

In strongly worded remarks, Blinken said the danger was far from over and debris would continue to pose risks to satellites and operations on the ISS. He said that the United States was discussing its response with partners.

The crew; four Americans, a German, and two Russians aboard the orbital outpost were awakened and told to close hatches, then take shelter in their return ships, the standard "safe haven" alarm procedure in case of an emergency that might force evacuation.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/achieving-what-trump-couldnt-biden-celebrates-rare-win-with-us-infrastructure-bill-signing-429648">Achieving what Trump couldn't, Biden celebrates rare win with US infrastructure bill signing</a>

NASA reported that the crew made their way to the Dragon and Soyuz spacecraft around 2:00 am Eastern Time (0700 GMT) and remained there for about two hours.

Every 90 minutes, the research lab, orbiting around 250 miles above Earth, passes through or near the debris cluster. However, NASA specialists determined it was safe for the crew to return to the station's interior after the third pass.

"I am outraged by this irresponsible and destabilizing action," said NASA administrator Bill Nelson in a statement.

"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" as well as Chinese "taikonauts" aboard China's space station, he said.

Also read&nbsp; |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-china-virtual-summit-biden-urges-for-guardrails-against-conflict-xi-calls-for-better-communication-429645">US-China virtual summit: Biden urges for 'guardrails' against conflict, Xi calls for better communication</a>

According to Seradata, a space industry analysis company, the missile was aimed at Cosmos 1408, a Soviet signals intelligence satellite launched in 1982 now defunct for decades.

ASATs, or anti-satellite weapons, are high-tech missiles possessed by a few nations.

Even before Russia, anti-satellite tests in space have been conducted by several countries. Back in 1959, when satellites were rare and new, the United States performed the first.

Further, a similar knockout demonstrated by China in 2007 led the United States to shoot down a satellite in 2008.

Watch |&nbsp;The United States slams Russia for 'irresponsible' act

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As of 2019, India was the last nation to launch such a test, creating hundreds of pieces of "space junk", something which was harshly criticized by others, including the United States.

The United States and NASA condemned Russia for launching a "dangerous and irresponsible" missile strike that blew up a Russian satellite and created a debris cloud that forced the crew of International Space Station (ISS) to take evasive action.

The United States and NASA condemned Russia for launching a "dangerous and irresponsible" missile strike that blew up a Russian satellite and created a debris cloud that forced the crew of International Space Station (ISS) to take evasive action. According to officials, Washington was not notified of the test, which was only the fourth ever to hit a spacecraft from the ground. There is renewed concern over the growing space arms race, which covers everything from the development of satellites capable of shunting others out of orbit to laser weapons. Also read | 'Debris generating event': Reports say Russia may have carried out anti-satellite weapons test "The Russian Federation recklessly conducted a destructive test of a direct-ascent anti-satellite missile against one of its own satellites," said Secretary of State Anthony Blinken in a statement. He added that over 1,500 trackable pieces of orbital debris were produced by the "dangerous and irresponsible test," which will likely result in hundreds of thousands of smaller pieces. In strongly worded remarks, Blinken said the danger was far from over and debris would continue to pose risks to satellites and operations on the ISS. He said that the United States was discussing its response with partners. The crew; four Americans, a German, and two Russians aboard the orbital outpost were awakened and told to close hatches, then take shelter in their return ships, the standard "safe haven" alarm procedure in case of an emergency that might force evacuation. Also read | Achieving what Trump couldn't, Biden celebrates rare win with US infrastructure bill signing NASA reported that the crew made their way to the Dragon and Soyuz spacecraft around 2:00 am Eastern Time (0700 GMT) and remained there for about two hours. Every 90 minutes, the research lab, orbiting around 250 miles above Earth, passes through or near the debris cluster. However, NASA specialists determined it was safe for the crew to return to the station's interior after the third pass. "I am outraged by this irresponsible and destabilizing action," said NASA administrator Bill Nelson in a statement. "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" as well as Chinese "taikonauts" aboard China's space station, he said. Also read | US-China virtual summit: Biden urges for 'guardrails' against conflict, Xi calls for better communication According to Seradata, a space industry analysis company, the missile was aimed at Cosmos 1408, a Soviet signals intelligence satellite launched in 1982 now defunct for decades. ASATs, or anti-satellite weapons, are high-tech missiles possessed by a few nations. Even before Russia, anti-satellite tests in space have been conducted by several countries. Back in 1959, when satellites were rare and new, the United States performed the first. Further, a similar knockout demonstrated by China in 2007 led the United States to shoot down a satellite in 2008. Watch | The United States slams Russia for 'irresponsible' act As of 2019, India was the last nation to launch such a test, creating hundreds of pieces of "space junk", something which was harshly criticized by others, including the United States.

Russia blasts own satellite, US slams it as missile test threatens International Space Station

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Russia's Nuclear Anti-Satellite weapon sparks a scare in US amidst Ukraine War

Gravitas: Russia destroys satellite, releases big cloud of 'space junk'

'Debris generating event': Reports say Russia may have carried out anti-satellite weapons test

Russia blasts own satellite, US slams it as missile test threatens International Space Station

How China plans to disrupt GPS through ASAT in 2020 & beyond