Mission Shakti is India’s anti-satellite missile test. Anti-satellite weapons are aimed to destroy enemy satellites. India is the 4th country to have successfully tested an Anti-satellite missile after the US, Russia and China. This has secured India’s position as the 4th Space superpower in the world.
The missile was indigenously designed and tested by India’s Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO). The launch of the missile took place from Balasore in Odisha. The missile successfully destroyed a decommissioned Indian satellite in the lower earth orbit. The missile hit its target at a range of 283 km. However, it is capable of shooting hostile objects at an altitude of 1200 km and moving at 10 km/s. Also, India made it clear that the primary intent of the missile is defence. The missile will protect the country’s space assets and the country doesn’t intend to start an arms race.
India’s progress with the Mission Shakti test.
The test secured India a global status and a greater say in outer space negotiations. Also, it demonstrated India’s progress in BMD(Ballistic Missile Development). Under this, the DRDO is developing a 2 layered shield against hostile missile attacks.
The missile was developed in a short time with 150 scientists who worked around the clock for 6 months.
Future implications of the test.
India has always advocated the peaceful use of outer space, unlike other countries that advocate military purposes.
China and the US have made great strides in operating military satellites in outer space. Given this reality, India has to exploit this new capability as a defence mechanism.
With space-based surveillance programmes and an integrated space cell, India coordinates all space-related aspects of defence forces. This has to be upgraded to form a strong defence component of specialised units from DRDO and ISRO.