The Chinese military used a ground-based missile to hit and destroy one of its aging satellites orbiting more than 500 miles in space Jan. 11, 2007. The test raised concerns about the vulnerability of U.S. satellites and a possible arms race in space.
The impact left more than 100,000 pieces of debris orbiting the planet, NASA estimated — 2,600 of them more than 4 inches across.
We carefully monitor those and the thousands of other bits of orbital debris to help provide for safe passage for those who traverse those orbits.
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