India successfully tests anti-satellite missile in low earth orbit
India’s scientists have done the country proud again..India has become the fourth nation in the world to acquire the capability to destroy a satellite in outer space. Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation Wednesday afternoon to announce that India launched an anti-satellite missile off the coast of Odisha to destroy a target satellite in LEO ie. low earth orbit 300 kms away. He said this mission will have a historic impact for generations to come..here’s why..
SUPERPOWER SHOWS STRIKING POWER
This represents the striking power of a superpower..a superpower sending out a message of peace through deterrance..It’s restoration of the balance of power in the world..India levelling the scales..
FOURTH DIMENSION OF DEFENCE
Wednesday saw Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing to the nation and the world..how India has extended its defence capabilities from land, water & air to outer space..He informed that India has become the fourth nation after the US, Russia and China to acquire the capability to launch an anti-satellite mission..DRDO and the nation’s scientists used an indiginously developed missile to destroy a satellite 300 kms away as part of Mission Shakti.
INDIA DEMONSTRATES TECHNICAL PROWESS
In the very first attempt..India destroyed the target with a missile launched off the Odisha coast..It showed India’s technical prowess in its ability to safeguard its earth orbital security..apart from several far reaching implications in its defence and space programmes.
INDIA: A RESPONSIBLE SUPERPOWER
The PM made it clear that India has not acquired this capability keeping some other country in mind..It is solely for self defence purposes.
COMPLEX MISSION, PERFECT EXECUTION
Compared to India’s feat..China acquired the anti-satellite capability after failing at least 4 times..The PM said the mission was highly complex..but it was carried out perfectly..
CREDIT TO INDIA’S SCIENTISTS
After announcing the success of Mission Shakti..the PM also interacted with the scientists behind the feat through a video link..He let them know that the nation is proud of their achievement..Mission Shakti stands out because its another landmark in India’s efforts to develop indiginous defence capabilities..apart from adding another feather to its already impressive space programme with 102 spacecraft missions to date….
Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement that GFX IN – India has no intention of entering into an arms race in outer space….
“We have always maintained that space must be used only for peaceful purposes. We are against the weaponisation of Outer Space and support international efforts to reinforce the safety and security of space based assets,”
The Prime Minister asserted that for global peace and regional peace, India should be capable and strong.