America is ending anti-satellite missile tests

"These tests are dangerous, and we will not conduct them," said America's vice-president in a speech on April 18th. Ms Harris was announcing a ban on American testing of anti-satellite missiles.

Four countries have conducted such tests, most recently Russia in November last year. The mess they create is what Ms Harris fears more than the weapons themselves. There are empty rocket stages, bits of paint, nuts and bolts, and even toothbrush dropped by careless astronauts in space. For a long time, it can stay aloft. Small items can cause damage at high speeds. The International Space Station has to dodge bits of junk every year. In June 2021, debris punched a jagged hole in one of its robotic arms.