Pentagon supports India's assessment about debris from ASAT test burning in space

The Pentagon said on Thursday that it stood by Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan's assessment last week that debris from an Indian anti-satellite weapons test would eventually burn up in the atmosphere, despite a subsequent, more negative assessment by NASA.

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine said on Monday more than 400 pieces of orbital debris from the test had been identified, including debris that was travelling above the International Space Station - something he called a "terrible, terrible thing." Asked whether the Pentagon stood by Shanahan's earlier assessment, spokesman Charlie Summers said: "Yes." 

(With inputs from agencies.)