Sky is not the limit, India will have to go beyond ASATs!

Indian Air Force Chief Air Marshal V.R. Chaudhari had earlier emphasised the reality of the militarization of India’s space sector, highlighting its historical dual-purpose nature encompassing both civilian and military applications.

- VAIBHAV AGRAWAL

Half a decade ago, India's Ballistic Missile Defence Programme made a significant breakthrough, leaving a memorable mark in space exploration. At Abdul Kalam Island, a momentous event unfolded as an interceptor missile launched, blazing through the sky with vivid orange streams behind it.

Within seconds, it successfully targeted Microsat-R, an operational Indian satellite orbiting approximately 300 kilometres above the Earth.

The collision, a kinetic force to behold, shattered the satellite into countless fragments, marking India's inaugural successful antisatellite (A-SAT) test. This feat catapulted India into an elite echelon, becoming the third country globally to demonstrate this sophisticated capability. The spectacle of the missile's majestic vertical ascent, culminating in the precise destruction of the satellite, underscored India's burgeoning prowess in advanced missile technology.

During a nationally televised speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised India's A-SAT test as a significant accomplishment, suggesting its importance as a deterrent against potential threats to the country's space assets. The underlying message was clear - India's strategic move was primarily aimed at addressing China's comparable capabilities, considering Pakistan's limited capacity in this area.

Observers couldn't ignore the historical backdrop, remembering China's similar test in 2007, which targeted a weather satellite at an altitude exceeding 850 kilometres. With this achievement, India joined a select group of nations equipped with the capability to safeguard their space assets, solidifying strategic dominance in this crucial domain.

However, the A-SAT test wasn't devoid of controversy.

Criticism ensued regarding the substantial debris it generated, estimated at approximately 35,000 fragments larger than one centimetre.