India Consolidate Itself As A Space Power After Test Of Anti-Satellite Weapon

During his surprise TV speech about the latest successful test of anti-satellite weapon that the Indian government used to destroy its own satellite, Prime Minister Narendra Modi  claimed:

However, critics believe that weaponizing space is such a reckless, regrettable step to take.

Mission Shakti

A Success or a threat?

The Prime Minister said that our scientists destroyed a satellite that was 300 kilometers away in space, in low-earth orbit. With this success, our country has become the fourth in the world to have tested ASAT (anti-satellite) weapons. According to the 1967 UN Outer Space Treaty signed by over 100 countries, it’s forbidden to use mass destruction weapons in space; using conventional weapons to jam or disable satellites in orbits, however, are not under any provisions.

The three-minute Mission Shakti took place on an island near the east coast of India, at low orbit to make sure the remaining after the test would return to Earth within weeks instead of wandering in space and threat other equipment. As per Satellite tracker Marco Langbroek, the target in this mission is Microsat-r.

Astronautics Research Group Head Hugh Lewis, the University of Southampton, tweeted that Mission Shakti is a responsible action to take in space, towards which he expects quick and strong condemnation.

This incident reminds us of a similar test in 2007 by China, where it destroyed its own satellite, releasing hundreds of objects. The former Soviet and the US also carried out similar anti-satellite tests between the 50s and the 70s.

Modi’s Statement

Meanwhile, our Prime Minister said that India’s test was highly complex, at extreme height and remarkably precise, which indicates the remarkable dexterity of our scientists as well as the success of India's space program. He added that this would make the country stronger as well as secure the peace and harmony for its people.

Furthermore, the foreign ministry claimed we should only use space for peaceful purposes and that the country protests against weaponizing space as well as supports global actions to enhance security and safety of space-based facilities.

However, it sounds like is a flowery statement about what’s actually India’s attempt to expand its military force into outer space. Though, it’s true that its space program been running smoothly during the last several years. It currently offers budget launch solutions, with up to 104 satellites in a single launch, as well as space-based technologies such as Earth-imaging satellites. In 2014, India launched a spacecraft to Mars, and it has set the goal to send its astronauts there by 2022.

What to note here is that Modi’s statement surfaces amid an election campaign and the recent tension with Pakistan. Critics claim that the prime minister is intentionally, probably even illegally, trying to get votes. In addition, the test took place at the same time with the meeting of GGE, aka the Group of Governmental Experts, focusing on preventing an arms race in outer space (PAROS). Considering that, what India has done can be interpreted as a slap in the face of GCE.

Anyway, it doesn’t change the fact that, in the past few years, India has gained a lot of achievements in the field of space travel and space science in general.