India tests first anti-satellite missile system, codenamed Mission Shakti
India is only the fourth country to acquire such a specialised and modern capability.
New Delhi, March 27, 2019: Prime minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced that India has shot down one of the live satellites with the help of their anti satellite missile or A-SAT, which paves the way for India to make it’s mark in the elite club of space powers in the world.
PM Modi called this as “Mission Shakti”, and also mentioned that India has not directed this action against any country as it was a simple test of the country’s nuclear power.
He also added that shooting down a satellite is one of the rare achievements of the country. The A-SAT shot down the satellite within “three minutes of the launch”, at an altitude of 300km, further complementing the achievements of all the scientists who made it possible.
Mission Shakti was led by DRDO with ISRO and was tested at the Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam Island launch complex at 11:16 am. The test was done to ensure that India is capable enough to be able to safeguard our space assets.
With this test, India has earned the right to brag about being in the 4th position in the world after United States, China and Russia to successfully demonstrate the capabilities of shooting down a low orbital satellite with an A-SAT missile.
The test was successful and achieved all the parameters as per plans. The satellite used in this mission was one of India’s existing satellites working in lower orbit. The test demanded high technical capability and precision.
Prime minister stated “Mission Shakti” as a step towards securing the country’s safety and technological advancement.
