New Delhi: India on Wednesday took a giant leap towards demonstrating the country’s capability to protect its assets in outer space by successfully destroying a live low-orbit satellite using a ballistic missile defence interceptor. The missile was launched from the A P J Abdul Kalam island off the Odisha coast. Odisha Bytes gives you a lowdown about the mission as reported so far.
- What is this mission all about and how is Odisha involved in this entire exercise?
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi made a rare televised address informing that India has successfully conducted “Mission Shakti”, an anti-satellite missile test. This was a technological mission carried out by DRDO. The satellite used in the mission was one of India’s existing satellites operating in lower orbit. A missile defence interceptor was used to knock down the satellite.
This is the first time that a missile was fired from the APJ Abdul Kalam Island off Bhadrak district whose trajectory was headed to space. While more details are awaited from DRDO, some media outlets reported that it is possible that the organisation used a modified version of the Agni V missile for the task. In 2012, shortly after testing Agni V, DRDO’s then chief V.K. Saraswat had acknowledged that the missile could be modified for use as an anti-satellite weapon.
With this mission, India joined an elite group comprising the US, Russia and China who have mastered this complex technology.
Some reports suggest that a team of DRDO officials and ISRO scientists had spent sleepless nights at the island, working discreetly on the mission before getting a go-ahead from the top establishment.
#WATCH Visuals from the launch of the anti satellite missile used in #MissionShakti #ASAT pic.twitter.com/IEIhtHpPgs
— ANI (@ANI) March 27, 2019
2. Why did India carry out this test?
India has a long-standing and rapidly growing space programme and has multiple satellites orbiting above the sub-continent. It has expanded rapidly in the last five years. The Mangalyaan Mission to Mars was successfully launched. Thereafter, the government sanctioned the Gaganyaan Mission, which will take Indians to outer space.
The test was done to verify that India has the capability to safeguard our space assets.
3. Why was the test carried out now?
According to the government, the tests were carried out after the country acquired the required degree of confidence to ensure its success, and reflects the intention of the government to enhance India’s national security. India has seen an accelerated space development programme since 2014.
4. Is the test directed against any country?
The test is not directed against any country. India’s space capabilities do not threaten any country and nor are they directed against anyone.
The capability achieved through the Anti-Satellite missile test provides credible deterrence against threats to our growing space-based assets from long-range missiles, and proliferation in the types and numbers of missiles.
5. Does the test create space debris?
The test was carried out in the lower atmosphere to ensure there are no space debris. Whatever debris are generated will decay and fall back onto the earth within weeks.
6. Which satellite was used?
The satellite used was an Indian satellite.
7. Which Missile/Interceptor was used?
The DRDO’s Ballistic Missile Defence interceptor, which is part of the ongoing ballistic missile defence programme, was used.
Earlier today, anticipation had built up after Prime Minister Modi tweeted that he would address the nation with an “important message” between 11.45am to 12 noon. Speculation peaked as it emerged that the PM had met top ministers in the cabinet security panel at his residence in the morning. There was a buzz that he would be announcing a big breakthrough in the defence/security sphere. The last time Prime Minister Modi addressed the nation at short notice was on November 8, 2016, when he announced the demonetisation drive.
