MOSCOW (AP) - Russian officials on Tuesday rejected accusations that they endangered astronauts aboard the International Space Station by conducting a weapons test that created more than 1,500 pieces of space junk.U.S.
officials on Monday accused Russia of destroying an old satellite with a missile in what they called a reckless and irresponsible strike.
The debris could do major damage to the space station as it is orbiting at 17,500 mph (28,000 kph).Astronauts now face four times greater risk than normal, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson told The Associated Press.The test clearly demonstrates that Russia, "despite its claims of opposing the weaponization of outer space, is willing to ...