ASAT testNovember 15, 2021
Russia ASAT Test (Cosmos 1408)
On 15 November 2021, Russia tested a Nudol direct-ascent missile against its defunct Cosmos 1408 satellite, generating over 1,500 trackable fragments and thousands of smaller pieces. The debris cloud passed near the International Space Station, forcing the crew to shelter in their docked return vehicles. The test drew broad international condemnation and intensified calls for a ban on destructive ASAT testing.
At a glance
- Date
- November 15, 2021
- Type
- ASAT test
- Orbit regime
- LEO (~480 km)
- Trackable fragments
- 1,500+
Related
Data sourced from ESA Space Debris Office, NASA Orbital Debris Program Office, and U.S. Space Command catalog reporting. © SpaceOdysseyHub.