Planet Earth is an obviously frightening place to be at the moment, with tensions growing throughout the globe as the long-running COVID-19 epidemic continues to spread and a conflict between Russia and Ukraine erupts.
We can all sleep a bit easier at night, though, knowing that SpaceX CEO Elon Musk will rescue the planet from harm, if that becomes necessary.
According to TMZ, the South African-born engineer responded earlier this weekend to a Russian space official who “menacingly indicated the ISS may lose its course and careen toward the United States or Europe if the Russians wreck the mission.”
“Sanctions, the official claimed, may be the impetus for the action. Russia controls the ISS’s engines and may therefore guide the spacecraft’s trajectory “The article elaborates.
“If you refuse to cooperate with us, who will prevent the ISS from deorbiting and falling into the United States and Europe?” they questioned on social media.
Musk responded to this danger with a simple but powerful statement — a SpaceX logo. Musk acknowledged that when he came across other people discussing the conversation on Twitter, he meant that his business would be the one to rescue the globe if Russia continues to cause us anxiety.
Additionally, the father of seven has answered Ukraine’s request for assistance by shipping his Starlink satellite terminals overseas, giving the nation an additional internet connection in the midst of the crisis.
Throughout their outburst, the Russian official reminded us of the following: “Because the ISS does not fly over Russia, all dangers are borne by you. Are you prepared to face them?” Given its 500-ton weight, we doubt anybody is prepared for the “risks” involved.
At the moment, NASA has said that “nothing is changing in terms of ISS operations,” but it remains unclear if Russia would really be capable of executing the plan as outlined online.