Video: Vice President Kamala Harris visits Central Coast Monday
Vice President Kamala Harris arrives on Air Force Two at Vandenberg Space Force Base on Monday.
VP says United States will halt tests of anti-satellite missiles
– Vice President Kamala Harris visited the Central Coast on Monday afternoon. Air Force Two flew her to Vandenberg Space Force Base, where she said the U.S. would halt testing of satellite-killing missiles to reduce the threat posed by space debris.
“The self-imposed ban comes amid rising tensions with Russia over its invasion of Ukraine and Moscow’s decision in November to test a missile that blew up one of its own satellites,” the LA Times reports.
“That explosion polluted low-Earth orbit with more than 1,500 pieces of dangerous debris, forcing the crew of the International Space Station to take shelter,” the Times reports. “Even a tiny bit of such space junk could damage or destroy a satellite, space station or spacecraft. The U.S. and its allies have sharply criticized the Kremlin over the test, with Harris in December calling it ‘an irresponsible act.’ China used a missile in 2007 to destroy one of its satellites, a blast that continues to litter space with nearly 3,000 pieces of debris.”
Harris was greeted at the base by local Congressman Salud Carbajal and Senator Alex Padilla. They held a meeting with men and women of the United States Space Force and United States Space Command at Vandenberg Space Force Base.
“As we enter this new age of increased space exploration, the United States must continue to lead the way in establishing norms to protect our national security and space assets,” said Padilla. “Thanks to critical installations like Vandenberg Space Force Base, the United States has consistently been a pioneer in satellite imagery and innovation in space.”
Air Force Two lands at Vandenberg Space Force Base on Monday.
This event took place as the international community enters a new generation of increased civil and commercial space exploration. The lack of formal space diplomacy and established precedent has the potential to lead to serious damage, especially in regards to anti-satellite weapons (ASAT), and the hazardous debris caused by ASAT missile tests.
The Vandenberg Space Force Base has supported tens of thousands of jobs across the state of California and is responsible for the majority of U.S. launches from the West Coast.
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