India Successfully tests Satellite-destroying Missile

New Delhi, March 27, 2019:

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a dramatic live telecast, announced that India had shot down one of its own satellites and become the fourth country – after US, Russia, and China – to demonstrate the ability to shoot down satellites in space, which is known as anti-satellite (ASAT) ability. In the telecast, Modi said that it would have impact “for generations to come.” The US and Russia developed the capability during the Cold War whereas China developed the capability during 2007.

As per reports, the missile hit the test satellite which was only a metre across in size and thus demonstrated extremely high accuracy. It remains to be seen whether India will follow up the ASAT test with other kinds of capabilities.

The US and Russia also have in-orbit anti-satellite capabilities – satellites that can stay up in orbit until they are commanded to approach and destroy an enemy satellite. China, too, is believed to have in-orbit capabilities.