posted 03-27-2019 07:05 AM               

In the journey of every nation there are moments that bring utmost pride and have a historic impact on generations to come. One such moment is today. India has successfully tested the Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Missile. Congratulations to everyone on the success of Mission Shakti.

Neither Modi nor the ministry identified the satellite targeted by the test. Indian media speculated that the likely targets were either Microsat-R, launched in January, or Microsat-TD, launched a year earlier. Microsat-R is in a 262-by-280-kilometer orbit, while Microsat-TD is in a 353-by-361-kilometer orbit, according to tracking data by the U.S. military.

The ministry said in its statement that the test was designed to minimize long-lived debris. "The test was done in the lower atmosphere to ensure that there is no space debris. Whatever debris that is generated will decay and fall back onto the earth within weeks." It wasn't immediately known how much debris the test generated, but some debris may end up in higher orbits with longer decay times.

The test makes India the fourth country, after the United States, Russia and China, to test an ASAT weapon.

posted 03-27-2019 07:11 AM               

Frequently Asked Questions on Mission Shakti

What was the test?

1. On March 27, 2019 India conducted Mission Shakti, an anti-satellite missile test, from the Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam Island launch complex.This was a technological mission carried out by DRDO. The satellite used in the mission was one of India's existing satellites operating in lower orbit. The test was fully successful and achieved all parameters as per plans. The test required an extremely high degree of precision and technical capability.

2. The significance of the test is that India has tested and successfully demonstrated its capability to interdict and intercept a satellite in outer space based on complete indigenous technology.

3. With this test, India joins an exclusive group of space faring nations consisting of USA, Russia and China.

Which satellite was used?

The satellite used was an Indian satellite.

Which Missile/Interceptor was used?

The DRDO's Ballistic Missile Defence interceptor was used, which is part of the ongoing ballistic missile defence programme.

There are other ways to demonstrate ASAT capabilities such as "fly-by tests" and Jamming. Why has India used the particular technology of Kinetic Kill?

This is a technology where we have developed capability. Space technologies are constantly evolving. We have used the technology that is appropriate to achieve the objectives set out in this mission.

Does the test create space debris?

The test was done in the lower atmosphere to ensure that there is no space debris. Whatever debris that is generated will decay and fall back onto the earth within weeks.

Why did we do the test?

1. India has a long standing and rapidly growing space programme. It has expanded rapidly in the last five years. The Mangalyaan Mission to Mars was successfully launched. Thereafter, the government has sanctioned the Gaganyaan Mission which will take Indians to outer space.

2. India has undertaken 102 spacecraft missions consisting of communication satellites, earth observation satellites, experimental satellites, navigation satellites, apart from satellites meant for scientific research and exploration, academic studies and other small satellites. India's space programme is a critical backbone of India's security, economic and social infrastructure.

3. The test was done to verify that India has the capability to safeguard our space assets. It is the Government of India's responsibility to defend the country's interests in outer space.

Why was the test done now?

The tests were done after we had acquired the required degree of confidence to ensure its success, and reflects the intention of the government to enhance India's national security. India has seen an accelerated space development programme since 2014.

Is India entering into an arms race in outer space?

1. 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 weaponization of Outer Space and support international efforts to reinforce the safety and security of space based assets.

2. India believes that Outer space is the common heritage of humankind and it is the responsibility of all space-faring nations to preserve and promote the benefits flowing from advances made in space technology and its applications for all.

3. India is a party to all the major international treaties relating to Outer Space. India already implements a number of Transparency and Confidence Building Measures(TCBMs) – including registering space objects with the UN register, prelaunch notifications, measures in harmony with the UN Space Mitigation Guidelines, participation in Inter Agency Space Debris Coordination (IADC) activities with regard to space debris management, undertaking SOPA (Space Object Proximity Awareness and COLA (Collision Avoidance) Analysis and numerous international cooperation activities, including hosting the UN affiliated Centre for Space and Science Technology Education in Asia and Pacific. India has been participating in all sessions of the UN Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.

4. India supported UNGA resolution 69/32 on No First Placement of Weapons on Outer Space. We see the No First Placement of weapons in outer space as only an interim step and not a substitute for concluding substantive legal measures to ensure the prevention of an arms race in outer space, which should continue to be a priority for the international community.

5. India supports the substantive consideration of the issue of Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) in the Conference on Disarmament where it has been on the agenda since 1982.

What is the international law on weapons in outer space?

1. The principal international Treaty on space is the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. India is a signatory to this treaty, and ratified it in 1982. The Outer Space Treaty prohibits only weapons of mass destruction in outer space, not ordinary weapons.

2. India expects to play a role in the future in the drafting of international law on prevention of an arms race in outer space including inter alia on the prevention of the placement of weapons in outer space in its capacity as a major space faring nation with proven space technology.

3. India is not in violation of any international law or Treaty to which it is a Party or any national obligation.

Is the test directed against any country?

1. The test is not directed against any country. India's space capabilities do not threaten any country and nor are they directed against anyone.

2. ]At the same time, the government is committed to ensuring the country's national security interests and is alert to threats from emerging technologies. The capability achieved through the Anti-Satellite missile test provides credible deterrence against threats to our growing space-based assets from long range missiles, and proliferation in the types and numbers of missiles.

posted 04-03-2019 06:50 AM               

Bridenstine said that when the satellite shattered it created debris large enough to threaten the station. The agency identified 400 pieces of debris, about 60 of which are trackable and at least 10 centimeters in size. Bridenstine said that the debris is low enough in Earth's orbit that it will dissipate over time, but he added that 24 pieces are orbiting above the station.

The space station, launched in 1998, orbits about 250 miles above Earth. It has experienced a 44% increase in the risk of debris collision in the last 10 days, according to Bridenstine.

posted 04-03-2019 10:00 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by cspg:
Because India cares about NASA?

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posted 04-04-2019 04:27 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by cspg:
There are more pressing needs on Earth than "preserving access to space"...

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posted 04-05-2019 11:49 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by cspg:
...a few debris that will end up burning in the atmosphere quite rapidly.

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...a large number of the 57 fragments (80% actually) have apogee altitudes above the orbit of the ISS, well into the altitude range of operational satellites. This again shows that even low-altitude ASAT tests on orbiting objects, creates debris that reaches (much) higher altitudes. The highest apogee amongst the 57 debris pieces is that of 2019-006AR at 2248 km [1397 miles].

...most of the debris will stay on orbit for several weeks to months: by half a year from now, most of it should be gone however, except for a few lingering pieces. Note that this forecast should be taken with some caution: it assumes a constant solar activity at the current level, and takes the NDOT values of the element sets face value.

posted 04-05-2019 03:58 PM            

quote:

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Originally posted by cspg:
Orbital debris are in low orbit so they probably will burn up in the atmosphere in the coming months. Let's not make a big deal out of something which is not.

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Sorry, I'm not cheering. India has followed the bad example set by the major space powers. What they did wasn't very clever back then. What India's done isn't very clever now. Others can be expected to follow, not all with benign results.

On the subject of what will become of the debris, I'm not totally convinced it will all go within "weeks". Explosions are three dimensional and I'd fully expect some stuff to have gone fairly high (I see Robert's last post confirms it, and that's just the trackable stuff).

As for there being more pressing needs on Earth, the truth or otherwise of that statement is irrelevant. They are not mutually exclusive. Or are we going down the road of you can't have a space program until you've solved all the problems on Earth? Why stop there? You can't have airplanes until you solve all the problems on the surface? No-one can have a vacation until all problems are solved first? This sort of reasoning is ridiculous.

How we're meant to see ramping up tensions further between two hostile nuclear states as being positive for the world beats me. "Go India!" Yeah, right, great idea.

posted 04-09-2019 09:02 PM               

One fragment was spotted at 2,222 kilometers, nearly eight times higher than where India intercepted one of its own satellites with a ground-launched missile, Dan Oltrogge, a senior research astrodynamicist at AGI, said.

That fragment, and others orbiting at high altitudes in low Earth orbit, will remain in space much longer than the 45 days recently projected by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation, Oltrogge said.

"Many fragments already reentered in the first one to two days, and then there's quite a cluster that reenters between then and out to as much as one to two months," Oltrogge said at the 35th Space Symposium here. "But there are some fragments that can go out one to two years."