Indian Prime Minister, Neranda Modi, has said that India’s Anti-Satellite Missile test conducted on Wednesday 27 March, 2019, was a resounding success.
Modi said that the ‘Mission Shakti,’ an anti-satellite missile test, was conducted from the Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam Island launch complex. He said that this was a technological mission carried out by DRDO adding that the satellite used in the mission was one of India’s existing satellites operating in lower orbit.
“The test was fully successful and achieved all parameters as per plans. The test required an extremely high degree of precision and technical capability,” Modi said in a speech in New Delhi on Wednesday, March 27.
The Prime Minister noted that the significance of the test is that India has tested and successfully demonstrated its capability to interdict and intercept a satellite in outer space based on complete indigenous technology.
“With this test, India joins an exclusive group of space faring nations consisting of USA, Russia and China,” Modi said.
He pointed out that the satellite used was an Indian satellite, stressing that the DRDO’s Ballistic Missile Defence interceptor was used, which is part of the ongoing ballistic missile defence programme.
” There are other ways to demonstrate ASAT capabilities such as “fly-by tests and Jamming.
“This is a technology where we have developed capability. Space technologies are constantly evolving. We have used the technology that is appropriate to achieve the objectives set out in this mission.
“The test was done in the lower atmosphere to ensure that there is no space debris.
“Whatever debris that is generated will decay and fall back onto the earth within weeks,” he said.
He noted that India has a long standing and rapidly growing space programme, which has expanded rapidly in the last five years. “The Mangalyaan Mission to Mars was successfully launched. Thereafter, the government has sanctioned the Gaganyaan Mission which will take Indians to outer space,” he said.
He disclosed that India has undertaken 102 spacecraft missions consisting of communication satellites, earth observation satellites, experimental satellites, navigation satellites, apart from satellites meant for scientific research and exploration, academic studies and other small satellites. India’s space programme is a critical backbone of India’s security, economic and social infrastructure, he added.
“The test was done to verify that India has the capability to safeguard our space assets. It is the Government of India’s responsibility to defend the country’s interests in outer space,” he said.
“The tests were done after we had acquired the required degree of confidence to ensure its success, and reflects the intention of the government to enhance India’s national security. India has seen an accelerated space development programme since 2014,” he said.
Modi noted that India has no intention of entering into an arms race in outer space. He said “We have always maintained that space must be used only for peaceful purposes. We are against the weaponization of Outer Space and support international efforts to reinforce the safety and security of space based assets.
“India believes that Outer space is the common heritage of humankind and it is the responsibility of all space-faring nations to preserve and promote the benefits flowing from advances made in space technology and its applications for all.
“India is a party to all the major international treaties relating to Outer Space. India already implements a number of Transparency and Confidence Building Measures(TCBMs) – including registering space objects with the UN register, prelaunch notifications, measures in harmony with the UN Space Mitigation Guidelines and participation in Inter Agency Space Debris Coordination (IADC) activities with regard to space debris management, undertaking SOPA (Space Object Proximity Awareness
He noted that India is also party to COLA (Collision Avoidance) Analysis and numerous international cooperation activities, including hosting the UN affiliated Centre for Space and Science Technology Education in Asia and Pacific. “India has been participating in all sessions of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space,” hr said.
The Prime Minister also said d that India supports the substantive consideration of the issue of Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) in the Conference on Disarmament where it has been on the agenda since 1982.
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