On March 27, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a rare televised address to the nation, declared that India achieved a historic feat by shooting down one of its satellites with a ground-to-space missile. The test, dubbed as Mission Shakti, made India only the fourth country to develop this capability after the United States, Russia and China.
However, latest reports suggest that it was not the first time India had attempted to test its anti-satellite missile (ASAT). The Defense Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) carried out a failed attempt to destroy a satellite in low-earth orbit on February 12 from Abdul Kalam Island off the eastern coast, reported The Diplomat.
The report quoted US government sources as saying that the US authorities have observed a failed Indian anti-satellite intercept test attempt in February. However, it is not clear whether the DRDO had relied on the same missile and interceptor in both the tests.
According to the report, India had notified the US of its intent to carry out an experimental weapon test in early February. It, however, had not confirmed whether it would be an anti-satellite test.
“The first failed Indian test, however, provided enough information for US military intelligence to conclude that New Delhi was attempting an anti-satellite test using a new kind of direct-ascent kinetic interceptor,” the report said.
In the March 27 test, the ASAT missile blew up the target satellite (Microsat-R) in its orbit 186 miles from Earth. The anti-satellite weapons are used to carry out attacks on enemy satellites, blinding them or disrupting communications.
“A Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by Indian civilian authorities with effect between February 10 and February 12 demarcated a restriction zone off the eastern coast of India that matches the restriction zone described in another NOTAM issued ahead of the March 27 test attempt, suggesting that the very same satellite was the intended target,” the report further said.
On Monday, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) strongly criticised Mission Shakti, saying the debris from the explosion endangers the International Space Station (ISS). NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said India's anti-satellite missile test created at least 400 pieces of orbital debris.
The risk from small debris as a result of the ASAT test to the ISS went up 44 per cent over a period of 10 days. "So, the good thing is it's low enough in earth orbit that over time this will all dissipate," Bridenstine told his NASA colleagues.
India tested its anti-satellite missile nearly a month after it was engaged in a bitter face off with neighbouring Pakistan after a suicide terror attack orchestrated by the Jaish-e-Mohammad at Pulwama in Jammu and Kashmir killed 40 CRPF personnel. A fleet of Indian Air Force fighter jets had crossed the border to pound a major training camp of the terror outfit at Balakot, leading to an aerial skirmish between the air forces of the two countries.
The test also assumes significance as it came days ahead of the general elections in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Bharatiya Janata Party are seeking to retain power. The IAF's Balakot air strike and DRDO's Mission Shakti are being repeatedly raked up by Modi in his campaigns while the opposition parties are accusing the government of using armed forces and other institutions for political gains.
