In an unprecedented move, India’s space weapon programme — mission shakti was revealed by the Indian Prime Minister. Read on to know more about it…
In an unprecedented move, India’s Prime Minister Modi disclosed to the nation on television, radio and social media, that India had demonstrated anti-satellite missile capability by shooting down a live satellite. He described it as a rare achievement that puts India in an exclusive club of space super powers. Prime Minister announced that India had demonstrated anti-satellite missile capability by shooting down a live satellite, describing it as a rare achievement that puts India in the elite club. Till now, three countries of the world — America, Russia, and China have this capability. Now, India is the 4th country to have achieved this capability.
“India has entered its name as an elite space power. An anti-satellite weapon A-SAT, successfully targeted a live satellite on a low earth orbit. ‘Mission Shakti’ operation was a difficult target to achieve which was completed successfully within three minutes of launch. Today, we have enough satellites that are contributing in various segments such as agriculture, disaster management, communication, weather, navigation etc,” the PM said.
He said the action was not directed against any country and the satellite was a pre-determined target orbiting at an altitude of 300 km. The prime minister did not say who owned the satellite but added that India does not breach any international laws or treaties.
Mission Shakti
A DRDO-developed Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) Interceptor Missile successfully engaged an Indian orbiting target satellite in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in a ‘Hit to Kill’ mode. The interceptor missile with two solid rocket boosters was a three-stage missile.
Mission Shakti, which is led by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), is aimed at strengthening India’s overall security. The PM added that “#MissionShakti was a highly complex one, conducted at extremely high speed with remarkable precision. It shows the remarkable dexterity of India’s outstanding scientists and the success of our space programme,”. He said “Shooting down a low earth orbit satellite is a rare achievement for the country,”. The “entire effort is indigenous. India’s stands tall as a space power. It will make India stronger, even more secure and will further peace and harmony”, Modi said.
“A-SAT missile will give new strength to India’s space prog. I assure int’l community that our capability won’t be used against anyone but is purely India’s defence initiative for its security.We’re against arms raised in space. This test won’t breach any int’l law or treaties.”
“India has successfully tested the Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Missile. Congratulations to everyone on the success of #MissionShakti,” the prime minister tweeted later.
The Secret Mission
Government sources revealed to ANI that the A-SAT weapon was launched around 11:16 am on 27th March, 2019, and targeted an Indian satellite which had been decommissioned and was orbiting on a ‘Low Earth Orbit’ at a height of 300 KM from the earth’s surface. The entire test, with confirmation of target elimination, took 3 minutes.
The project announced by Prime Minister Modi in a televised address as “Mission Shakti” was coordinated by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chairman G. Satheesh Reddy and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval along with officers of the National Security Council. The missile was launched from the DRDO’s testing range in Odisha’s Balasore. At the time of testing of the A-SAT missile, G. Satheesh Reddy was camping in Balasore to see the project through.
Government sources also assured that this test would have no bearing on India’s status in the MTCR (Missile Technology Control Regime) or other such treaties. The test does not violate any International law or treaty and also supported UNGA resolution 69/32 on No First Placement of Weapons on Outer Space, the MEA underlined.
