In a recent incident, nine astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) were briefly moved to their docked return spacecraft as a satellite broke up in low Earth orbit. The Expedition 71 crew, including astronauts from NASA, took this precautionary measure late Wednesday after a satellite monitoring and collision detection firm, LeoLabs, reported a "debris-generating event" in the vicinity.

According to a brief update from NASA, the astronauts moved to their three spacecraft, including the Boeing Starliner, shortly after 9 p.m. EDT (0200 GMT) as a precaution. It is believed that the crew was in their sleep period when the incident occurred, as the ISS follows the GMT time zone.

The astronauts remained inside their spacecraft for approximately an hour before being cleared to exit and resume normal operations on the station. U.S. Space Command reported that over 100 pieces of trackable debris were generated by the event. However, no immediate threats were observed, and routine conjunction assessments are ongoing to ensure the safety of the ISS.

The specific satellite associated with the incident was not mentioned by NASA. However, Resurs-P1 [or] SATNO 39186, a non-operational Russian spacecraft, was identified by LeoLabs as the potential source of the fragments. Resurs-P1, an Earth observation satellite launched in 2013, exceeded its expected lifespan and contributed to applications ranging from defense to agriculture.

This incident highlights the growing concern of space debris in orbit. Currently, the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) is tracking more than 45,300 space objects. Additionally, the Union of Concerned Scientists lists 7,560 operational satellites in Earth's orbit, not accounting for non-operational satellites that cannot be controlled.

NASA collaborates with the U.S. military to monitor the area around the ISS and ensures the safety of the crew. In the event of any trackable pieces approaching the "pizza box"-shaped area surrounding the ISS orbit, the station can be repositioned. Astronauts are also prepared to shelter in their return spacecraft if necessary.

Meanwhile, the incident has raised concerns about the ongoing mission of the Boeing Starliner spacecraft. Originally planned as a 10-day Crew Flight Test mission, Starliner is experiencing delays due to issues discovered with its thruster systems and helium supply in early June. The nominal departure date for Starliner, carrying two astronauts, is yet to be determined, pending review and further testing.

The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges and risks associated with space exploration. As the number of satellites and debris in orbit continues to increase, organizations like NASA and international partners remain committed to monitoring and ensuring the safety of space missions and the crew aboard the ISS.