PM Modi Addresses The Nation: India Becomes Elite Space Power

PM Narendra Modi addressed the nation and he announced that India has entered its name as an elite space power. An Anti-Satellite Weapon (A-SAT) successfully targeted a live satellite on a low earth orbit (LEO). The name of this mission was ‘MISSION SHAKTI’. After the US, Russia, and China, India is the fourth country to acquire this space capability. 

It was a difficult target to achieve which was completed successfully within three minutes of launch. This achievement does not violate any international law. Anti-satellite is a milestone for the country’s security and technological achievement. India is a space superpower now. India’s action was not directed against any country. Shooting down a low earth orbit satellite is a rare achievement for the country. The satellite was orbiting at an altitude of 300 km. 

Mission Shakti, which was led by the Defence Research and Development Organisation, was aimed at strengthening India’s overall security. The DRDO’s Ballistic Missile Defence interceptor was used, which is part of the ongoing ballistic missile defence programme.