Mission Shakti: India Becomes the 4th Country to develop Anti Satellite Weapon

India has now become a space power. Election Commission is probing on Modi’s tweet. China wants peace in space and Pakistan wants the banishment of India. All due to one reason – Mission Shakti.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced that the DRDO-developed anti-satellite system A-SAT successfully destroyed a live satellite in the Low Earth Orbit. India became the 4th country, after USA, Russia, and China, to develop and test successfully an Anti Satellite (A-SAT) weapon.

What Are A-SATs?

A-SATs are missile-based systems to attack moving satellites. So far the United States, China, and Russia were the only ones who’ve reported the ability to shoot down space objects from ground or airborne sources. The development of such systems has a long history — fuelled by the Cold War between the United States and the former Soviet Union. There are different kinds of systems — those that can be launched from the ground or those vaulted from planes.

“The ASAT weapon is likely to be the most potent military tool for the armed forces over the next few decades, notwithstanding a revolutionary technological breakthrough,” according to Arvind K. John, an analyst with New Delhi-based think-tank Observer Research Foundation.

Pakistan Decries Mission Shakti and China wants peace

Pakistan called on the international community to condemn the act and strengthen international laws regarding the militarization of space. “We hope that countries which have in the past strongly condemned demonstration of similar capabilities by others will be prepared to work towards developing international instruments to prevent military threats relating to outer space,” said a spokesperson for the Pakistan government. The spokesperson reiterated that Pakistan has been a strong proponent of Prevention of Arms Race in Outer Space. He said, “Space is the common heritage of mankind and every nation has the responsibility to avoid actions which can lead to the militarization of this arena.”

China, on the other hand, was guarded in its reaction to the launch of the anti-satellite missile. The Chinese Foreign Ministry, in a written response to a question from news agency PTI on India successfully test-firing an anti-satellite missile, said: “We have noticed reports and hope that each country will uphold peace and tranquillity in outer space.” China conducted such a test in January 2007 when its anti-satellite missile destroyed a defunct weather satellite.

Election Commission probing Narendra Modi’s Speech

The Election Commission said it is studying this morning’s announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi about the anti-satellite missile test, Mission Shakti. The opposition parties had raised a clamor after the announcement, claiming the Prime Minister was trying to gain political points two weeks before the national elections, and that it was a violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

The Model Code is a series of dos and don’ts for the caretaker government and political parties, which comes into effect as soon as the elections are announced.

The event is a leap forward in India’s space and military technology. The accomplishment is remarkable because this technology is indigenous. China calling for peace and Pakistan’s desperation themselves proves the significance of Mission Shakti. PM’s comments might get into the radar of EC but it won’t affect much to his Propaganda. Congratulations DRDO for making our country proud.