Russia smashes a satellite into 1,500 bits

The US is outraged that Russia hit one of its old satellites, scattering debris throughout space and forcing astronauts in the international space station, including two Russians, to take cover in refuge capsules. At least 1,500 bits and pieces, all capable of doing serious damage to something like the space station, were sent hurling around like swarms of metal projectiles. All highly dangerous and irresponsible as the US state department spokesman said. But while everyone is focusing on those cowering spacemen in the space station, what about the fact that the Russians have proved they have developed an anti-satellite weapon that is clearly deadly accurate and effective? A huge fuss was made in Washington when China launched a similar test some time ago, and North Korea, too, is known to be developing anti-satellite weapons with only one target in mind - America's neworks of reconnaissance and communications satellites in orbit around the Earth upon which the US military depend for their operational life. The scattering of debris in space seems to have gripped America because of those poor vulnerable astronauts but the real worry surely is Russia must be cockahoop about the satellite direct hit. I'm sure the US is working on a similar capability but Russia seems to have got in first. Was the Pentagon caught out by the successful Russian satellite-smashing event? Russia seems to be pushing the envelope militarily despite a pretty poor economy. It has the first deployed hypersonic missile, the first hypersonic nuclear cruise missile and now a proven ability to shoot down satellites in space. Yes, China is the big one to worry about but never underestimate Russia and Putin's dreams of being a military super superpower.