Model of Anti-Satellite Missile system inaugurated at DRDO

On November 9, 2020, the Defence Minister Shri Raj Nath Singh inaugurated the anti-Satellite Missile System at Defence Research Development Organization (DRDO) headquarters, New Delhi.

Background

The DRDO successfully conducted anti-satellite missile test at Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Odisha.

Anti-Satellite Weapon

It is designed to destroy satellites for military purposes. However, no ASAT system has been utilised in warfare so far. The countries that posses the ASAT technologies are India, China, US, Russia. These are the only countries in the world that have demonstrated the technology.

ASAT Test in India under Mission Shakti

Indi tested its Anti-Satellite weapon in 2019 under its operation code named “Operation Shakti”. The ASAT test used the interceptor, Prithvi Defence Vehicle Mark II to conduct the test. The interceptor was developed under Indian Ballisti Missile Programme.

Prithvi was a modified anti-ballistic missile. It was developed under Project XSV-1. The test made India the fourth country after US, Russia and China to test the anti-satellite weapon.

The missile struck a test satellite at 283 kilometres in the low earth orbit and made ASAT test successful.

However, the ASAT raises concerns about creation of space debris.

Target Satellite

The Target Satellite was Microsat-R. It was built to solve military purpose.

Indian Ballistic Missile Defence Programme

The programme was introduced in light of the ballistic missile threat from China and Pakistan. The development of anti-ballistic missiles under the programme began in 1999. More than 40 private and public companies were involved in the development of the system in phase 1 of the programme. In phase 2, a DRDO floating test range was developed to test the missile.

DRDO Floating Test Range

This is a ship designed by DRDO that will serve as a testing range for the missiles. It is equipped with Electro-optical missile tracking system, telemetry systems, S-band radars. It also carries missile control centre, launch pad and launch control centre.

Month: Current Affairs - November, 2020