The A-SAT missile was launched at approximately 11:16 AM on Tuesday from Odisha's Balasore and within three minutes of launch, it successfully hit the intended target, a de-commissioned Indian satellite, in a "Low-Earth Orbit" at roughly 300 km from the Earth's surface.
After successfully conducting an A-SAT or anti-satellite missile test yesterday, the Chairman of the DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) revealed in an interview with ANI that the project to develop this rare missile capability was green-lit two years ago.
"The NSA (Ajit Doval) whom we report to on strategic matters gave the direction to go ahead with the test and he had the concurrence from the Prime Minister. The development started a few years back and we went into mission mode in the last 6 months," said DRDO's Chairman G Satheesh Reddy in an exclusive interview to ANI.
The A-SAT missile was launched at approximately 11:16 AM on Tuesday from Odisha's Balasore and within three minutes of launch, it successfully hit the intended target, a de-commissioned Indian satellite, in a "Low-Earth Orbit" at roughly 300 km from the Earth's surface.
"Some time ago, our scientists shot down a live satellite 300-kilometres away in space, in Low-Earth Orbit... It was conducted under Mission Shakti, which was completed in three minutes," PM Modi said in his 10-minute televised address.
When asked the reason behind choosing a 300 km-altitude range for the target, Reddy said that protecting nearby space assets had to be considered. "As a responsible nation we wanted to be sure all space assets were safe and all the debris decayed fast," added DRDO Chairman Reddy.
Shortly after PM Modi's televised address announcing the success of "Mission Shakti", India's Ministry of External Affairs released a detailed note informing the World that India's actions were only to augment its deterrence capabilities and did not intend to trigger an arms race in space.
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1. A-SAT missile program entered ‘mission mode’ level 6-months ago: DRDO Chairman
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DRDO Chairman G Sateesh Reddy said, "In the last 6 months when the A-SAT missile program entered ‘mission mode’ level, about 100 scientists worked around the clock to reach the intended launch date target that was set."
With the success of "Mission Shakti", India has now entered an elite club of three nations - United States, Russia and China, with similar missile technology. This sort of missile application enables a country to attack and disrupt enemy satellites, thereby affecting communication networks. India's A-SAT missile was an indigenous build.
2. Ajit Doval gave direction to go ahead with the test, says DRDO Chairman
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DRDO Chairman has said, “NSA (Ajit Doval) whom we report to on strategic matters gave direction to go ahead with the test and he had the concurrence from PM."
#WATCH DRDO Chairman GS Reddy to ANI says, “NSA (Ajit Doval) whom we report to on strategic matters gave direction to go ahead with the test & he had the concurrence from PM. The development started a few years back & we went into mission mode in last 6 months.” #MissionShakti pic.twitter.com/QPoPobC9pp
— ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2019
The development started a few years back & we went into mission mode in last 6 months. We've hit the target by ‘Kinetic kill’-that means by directly hitting the satellite. This calls for many technologies which we have developed completely indigenously in the country & we've achieved accuracy within a few centimeters…a very high level of accuracy.
3. Missile developed specifically as an anti-satellite weapon: DRDO Chairman G Sateesh Reddy
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“This missile has been developed specifically as an anti-satellite weapon. The missile has technologies developed for ballistic missile defense applications, particularly the kill vehicle. It is not a derivative of the Prithvi missile,” DRDO chairman G Sateesh Reddy said.
#WATCH DRDO Chairman G Sateesh Reddy to ANI, “A-SAT missile has capabilities of targeting all ‘Low Earth Orbit’ satellites. It has a range of upto a 1000 Kilometers plus” #MissionShakti pic.twitter.com/IsQ31f0xxN
— ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2019
4. Intentionally chose low altitudes target to make sure debris decay fast: DRDO chairman
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A-SAT missile is capable of targeting all ‘Low Earth Orbit’ (LEO) satellites. We have the ability to handle LEO satellites but we've intentionally chosen at low altitudes as a responsible nation to see that all the space assets are safe & debris decayed fast.
DRDO Chairman GS Reddy to ANI: A-SAT missile is capable of targeting all ‘Low Earth Orbit’ (LEO) satellites.We've ability to handle LEO satellites but we've intentionally chosen at low altitudes as a responsible nation to see that all the space assets are safe&debris decayed fast pic.twitter.com/0i3B2ucpMs
— ANI (@ANI) March 28, 2019
5. PM Modi in an important message to nation on Wednesday had informed about the A-Sat test
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday in an important address to the nation had informed about the A-SAT test. He had said that India successfully completed 'Mission Shakti' test and entered into elite space club. After US, Russia and China, India became the 4th country in the world to have tested this technology.
