[jonrick46]

"For reference, the satellite that China exploded into hundreds of dangerous pieces was orbiting Earth at an altitude of 542 miles. There are currently more than 280 satellites orbiting Earth below an altitude of 542 miles, including the Hubble Space Telescope at an altitude of 352 miles.

So, as atmospheric resistance slows down this space junk, everything below 542 miles altitude will be joined some time by this debris. If all of it is rotating in the same direction and speed, not much to worry about. However, if a meteorite came in and deflected some of the debris, you would have a nuisance. Also, we have no way to know where all of that destroyed satellite went. The Hubble Space Telescope has some suspicious problems. And, we will have little information about the more top secret satellites which are also in low orbit.

[Unmarked Package]

"If all of it is rotating in the same direction and speed, not much to worry about."

For the 280+ satellites orbiting below an altitude of 542 miles, the orbit inclinations from the equator vary from 2 to 143 degrees, although the majority (~212) are in the range of 86 to 99 degrees inclination. The Feng Yun 1C satellite destroyed by China was in a polar orbit at 98.8 degrees inclination. The data includes Mil/Gov/Comm/Civil satellites.

Orbital mechanics make it improbable that any particular satellite will be hit by the debris, but there is still no excuse for this dangerous test conducted by China.