Russian Satellite Hit by Debris from Chinese Anti-Satellite Test

There's a very good 2003 sci-fi anime called Planetes[1] that explores the problem of space debris in some detail, and how humanity might deal with it in the future. Highly recommended if you're interested in these issues.<p>1. <a href="http://myanimelist.net/anime/329/Planetes" rel="nofollow">http://myanimelist.net/anime/329/Planetes</a>

<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Chinese_anti-satellite_missile_test" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007_Chinese_anti-satellite_mis...</a><p><a href="http://celestrak.com/events/asat.asp" rel="nofollow">http://celestrak.com/events/asat.asp</a><p>The mentioned Chinese test is single-handedly responsible for the vast majority of space debris.

<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kessler_syndrome" rel="nofollow">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kessler_syndrome</a>

The scary bit is that each collision generates a new debris field, which can in turn generate more new collisions, so the safety of orbit starts decreasing geometrically.

When China conducted that test, Russia's Defence Minister called the reporting of it "exaggerated and abstract." This should make things more concrete.

I am wondering why the debris was not from US Anti-Satellite test? After all, US has done much more such tests secretly.

The Chinese are pretty minted, can they not buy the Russians a new one?