Russia had “recklessly conducted” an anti-satellite missile test against a Russian satellite, producing thousands of pieces of debris that could potentially damage the International Space Station (ISS) and other spacecrafts on low-Earth orbit, the U.S. Department of State said Monday. During a press briefing, State Department spokesperson Ned Price stated that the Russian missile test produced over 1,500 pieces of trackable orbital debris, as well as hundreds of thousands of pieces of smaller orbital debris that “now threaten the interests of all nations.” “In addition, this test will significantly increase the risk to astronauts and cosmonauts on the International Space Station as well as to other human spaceflight activities,” said Price, noting that Washington had repeatedly warned Moscow about the dangers of testing anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons. “Russia’s dangerous and irresponsible behavior jeopardizes the long term sustainability of our outer space and clearly demonstrates that Russia’s claims of opposing the weaponization …