Two years since the Anti-Satellite (ASAT) test under Mission Shakti demonstrated India’s capability to shoot down satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), there is lot of focus within the country on space-based technologies and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is working on several of them, a senior defence official said on Friday.
The Defence Space Agency (DSA) has also taken shape and there is lot of work going on in Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), Communication Intelligence (COMINT), and areas like space-based tracking systems, the official said.
On March 27, 2019, the DRDO demonstrated ASAT capability by destroying a live orbiting satellite in LEO of around 300 km with a new interceptor missile in a “hit to kill” mode. The interceptor missile is a three stage missile having two solid rocket boosters and a “hit to kill” capable “kill vehicle” (KV), the official said.
ASAT capability has been fully demonstrated and there is no need for more tests, a second defence official said.