India successfully conducted an Anti-Satellite (ASAT) missile test, named Mission Shakti, becoming the fourth country in the world to demonstrate the capability to shoot down satellites in orbit.
What is Anti-Satellite Missile Test ? It is the technological capability to hit and destroy satellites in space through missiles launched from the ground. Anti-satellite (A-Sat) weapons that attempt to directly strike or detonate near a satellite or other targets are called kinetic physical weapons. There are two types of kinetic weapons
Direct ascent A-Sat (DAASAT) weapon – strikes a satellite using a trajectory that intersects the target without requiring an interceptor system already in orbit. It is a type of missile Test by India .Co-orbital A-sat mission – Requires first to be placed in orbit and then, when commanded to do so, reach within.
Anti-satellite technology has so far been in the hands of very few countries: United States, Russia and China. The acquisition and demonstration of this technology make India a member of an elite group of countries .Indigenously developed technology adds to India’s credentials, given that for many decades India was kept away from acquiring key technologies, forcing the country to develop its own space and nuclear capabilities.Anti-satellite weapons provide the capability to shoot down enemy satellites in orbit thereby disrupting critical communications and surveillance capabilities. It can cripple enemy infrastructure without causing any threat to human lives.India expects to play a role in the future in the drafting of international law on prevention of an arms race in outer space including inter alia on the prevention of the placement of weapons in outer space in its capacity as a major space faring nation with proven space technology. India was not considered a nuclear weapons state during Non-proliferation treaty because it did not test before January 1968.
But Anything launched into the space remains in space, almost forever, unless it is specifically brought down or slowly disintegrate over decades or centuries. A satellite that is destroyed by a missile disintegrates into small pieces, and adds to the space debris. The threat from the space debris is that it could collide with the operational satellites and render them . Many of the most strategic satellites are placed in orbits that 30,000 km from earth’s surface or even higher. India has to improve its capability to hit target beyond 30,000 km. Many analysts observe that India’s test would bring arms race in outer-space. Although India clarifies that India’s space capabilities do not threaten any country and nor are, they directed against anyone. It is being alleged that India’s test is against the Outer Space Treaty of which India is a signatory. However, India clarifies that India is not in violation of any international law or Treaty to which it is a Party or any national obligation. The treaty prohibits only weapons of mass destruction in outer space and India’s test is to assure safety and security of space-based assets.
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. Also, this test will make it increasingly difficult for India to present itself as exhibiting more strategic restraint and responsibility than China in matters pertaining to space security. India has to show diplomatic maturity in coming days in order to balance national security and its commitment towards prevention of arms race in outer space.
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