Russia denies endangering International Space Station crew with weapons test

Astronauts now face a four times greater risk than normal, Nasa administrator Bill Nelson told the Associated Press

The International Space Station (Nasa/PA)

Russian officials have rejected accusations that they endangered astronauts aboard the International Space Station by conducting a weapons test that created more than 1,500 pieces of space junk.

US officials on Monday accused Russia of destroying an old satellite with a missile in what they called a reckless and irresponsible strike. The debris could do major damage to the space station as it orbits at 17,500mph.