Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday assured the world community that the new space prowess is not against anyone.
India has achieved a rare capability by joining the big league of the United States, China and Russia and successfully tested the Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Missile, the Prime Minister said in his address to the nation here.
“This was just only in three minutes, Congratulations to everyone on the success. This was done by indigenously built Satellite,” the Prime Minister said.
“India has demonstrated the rare anti-satellite missile capability,” the Prime Minister said, adding the Mission Shakti is aimed at strengthening India’s overall security.
“India stands tall as a space power! It will make India stronger, even more secure and will further peace and harmony,” he later tweeted.
He said the Mission Shakti was a highly complex one, conducted at extremely high speed with remarkable precision. “It shows the remarkable dexterity of India’s outstanding scientists and the success of our space programme.”
“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,” he tweeted.
Meanwhile official sources said 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.
With this test, India joins an exclusive group of space faring nations consisting of USA, Russia and China.
The sources said 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.
They further said 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.
The test was done to verify that India has the capability to safeguard Indian space assets. It is the Government of India’s responsibility to defend the country’s interests in outer space.
India has no intention of entering into an arms race in outer space, they said, adding that New Delhi has always maintained that space must be used only for peaceful purposes.
India is against the weaponisation of Outer Space and support international efforts to reinforce the safety and security of space based assets, the sources said. (UNI)
