India has successfully test-fired a sophisticated anti-satellite missile in ‘Mission Shakti’ and shattered a live satellite flying in the low-Earth orbit, PM Narendra Modi announced in a televised national address. With this successful space mission, India has become the fourth country to attain such a specialized and modern capability; making it a ‘space superpower’. Prime Minister gave assurance to the international community that “our capability will not be used against any person but is merely India's defence initiative for its security. We are against arms race in the space. This test will not violate any international law or treaties."
Important things to know about Mission Shakti
1. Mission Shakti’ is an anti-satellite missile test, under which an Anti-Satellite or ASAT missile shot down the Low Earth Orbit satellite ‘in 3 minutes of launch’.
2. The satellite that has been used in the mission was one of the country’s existing satellites working in lower orbit. The satellite was in orbit at 300 kms when it was smashed.
3. The successful launch of the ASAT has made India enter the exclusive group of countries with capabilities to launch such sophisticated missiles. It is now the 4th country to have successfully tested the Anti-Satellite missile after US, Russia & China.
4. The whole effort of Mission Shakti is original and has been executed by Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO).
5. India, with Mission Shakti, has successfully exhibited its capability to bar and seize a satellite in outer space based on complete indigenous technology.
6. DRDO's Ballistic Missile Defence interceptor was used for Mission Shakti, which is part of the continuing ballistic missile defence programme.
7. The anti-satellite missile test was conducted in the lower atmosphere to make sure that there is no space debris. Whatever wreckage is generated will decompose and fall back in the earth within weeks.
Prime Minister has called it a test of India's potential to bring down low orbit satellites and stated that India's action was not directed against any nation. Modi in a tweet said, "Mission Shakti 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 also said that Mission Shakti has strengthened India's space programme and it is a step towards country’s safety, security, economic growth and technological advancement.
Soon after Prime Minister Modi made the announcement, Nitin Gadkari, Union minister congratulated and applauded the scientists involved in this project. In his address the prime minister told that the Mission Shakti was accomplished by the scientists of DRDO or Defence Research and Development Organisation.
On the other hand, the Congress also praised the government and the scientists working on this project for the successful testing of the A-SAT.
