| Some debris is simply dead satellites or spent booster stages still orbiting, while other types of debris result from accidents or mishaps, such as the 2009 Cosmos-Iridium collision, or from intentionally destructive events, such as China's test in space of an anti-satellite weapon in 2007. There are hundreds of thousands of additional objects too small to track but still capable of damaging satellites in orbit and the International Space Station. "As the likelihood of collisions between space debris and active satellites increases, the environment around our planet will become increasingly hazardous to human spaceflight and satellites systems, which would create damaging consequences for all of us," said Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in a written statement on January 17th. Secretary Clinton said, "we are committed to working together to reverse the troubling trends that are damaging our space environment and to preserve the limitless benefits and promise of space for future generations." That is why the United States will join with the European Union and other nations to develop an International Code of Conduct for Outer Space Activities. A Code of Conduct will help maintain the long-term sustainability, safety, stability, and security of space by establishing guidelines for the responsible use of space." |
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