India launches an anti-satellite missile A-SAT boosting its defence capability

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi informs the nation that it has become a space power
• DRDO does the feat

By Team ADU

New Delhi. 27 March 2019. The last hour and a half seemed to last forever post the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s tweet that he would address the nation at 11.45 AM. The last time he had done it the nation had seen demonetisation.

So the media both social and mainstream was rife with speculations. And then came the voice of the PM over the All India Radio ten minutes past the given time and he informed the nation that it had just become a space power. He said that an anti-satellite missile had been launched from Balasore which had destroyed a live satellite in 3 minutes and India is the 4th country to achieve this feat after US, Russia and China.

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 and the operation Mission Shakti is a success.

Prime minister said an extremely difficult operation that needed high quality technical capability, all the goals and objectives have been achieved by the scientists.

Congratulating all DRDO scientists for achieving this unparallel feat he said Mission Shakti aimed at strengthening India’s overall security. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted an Anti-Satellite (A-SAT) missile test ‘Mission Shakti’ from the Dr AP J Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha.

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 was a three-stage missile with two solid rocket boosters. Tracking data from range sensors has confirmed that the mission met all its objectives.

The test has demonstrated the Nation’s capability to defend its assets in outer space. It is a vindication of the strength and robust nature of DRDO’s programmes.

With this India joins a select group of nations, which have such capability. The test has once again proven the capability of indigenous weapon systems.

Prime Minister assured the nation that the A-SAT missile will give new strength to India’s space programme. He also assured the international community that India’s capability won’t be used against anyone but is purely India’s defence initiative for its security.