http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Chinese_anti-satellite_mis...
http://celestrak.com/events/asat.asp
The mentioned Chinese test is single-handedly responsible for the vast majority of space debris.
http://celestrak.com/events/asat.asp
The mentioned Chinese test is single-handedly responsible for the vast majority of space debris.
It was widely considered the most prolific single source of debris, but I don't think it's responsible for the majority of space debris.
NASA catalogged 900 or so pieces of space debris from the test exceeding 10 cm, expecting the number to climb to about 950 such pieces. [1]
In total, NASA tracks about 21,000 pieces of debris over 10 cm. [2]
Is largest single source getting confused with majority, or was more debris discovered after the fact?
1. http://www.space.com/3415-china-anti-satellite-test-worrisom...
2. http://orbitaldebris.jsc.nasa.gov/faqs.html#3
PS - Not trying to play 50 cent army here, "largest single source" is still definitely bad, just not the same as "vast majority."
That tracks with what I saw, so take this as just a minor tweak to GP's phrasing.
Don't skip that post because of the oversight. The celestrak link offers an incredible HD video simulating the debris cloud and the path of the ISS... it's like an action movie. Great find, so I upvoted.
It's not like China wasn't warned - I remember tons of criticism of them before they launched, yet they did it anyway.
If you deliberately cause damage, you should be liable.
Well, there ya go right below you :)