‘A wild west out there’: Russian satellite debris worsens space junk problem

The explosion has increased the chances of a disastrous collision, says a leading astrophysicist, and warns of real environmental problem'

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When Russia fired a missile at one of its own satellites on the weekend, the explosion generated many thousands of pieces of shrapnel that are now zooming around in space at breathtaking speeds.

It added to a sizeable volume of debris already in space, intensifying concerns over the risk that rubbish poses to the International Space Station (ISS) and satellites. The danger lies in a possible collision between objects that are hurtling around at 17,000 mph (27,400km/h).