India tested an anti-satellite weapon on Wednesday, saying the indigenously prod...
- India tested an anti-satellite weapon on Wednesday, saying the indigenously produced interceptor was used to destroy an object in orbit.
India, whose space program has developed launchers, satellites and probes to the moon and Mars, created the interceptor used in Wednesday’s test domestically, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a broadcast on television.The United States performed the first anti-satellite tests in 1959, when satellites themselves were rare and new.
In 1985, the United States tested the ASM-135, launched from an F-15 fighter jet, destroying an American satellite called Solwind P78-1.Then in 2007, China entered the anti-satellite arena by destroying an old weather satellite in a high, polar orbit. The test created the largest orbital debris cloud in history, with more than 3,000 objects, according to the Secure World Foundation, a group that advocates sustainable and peaceful uses of outer space.
China’s 2007 test is considered the most destructive. Because the impact took place at an altitude of more than 800 km , many of the resulting scraps stayed in orbit. The U.S. Strategic Command, which tracks objects in orbit for the U.S. military, had no immediate comment on Wednesday’s test.Destroying an enemy’s satellites, which can provide crucial intelligence and communications in war, is considered an advanced capability.
But China, which put dozens of satellites in orbit in 2018 alone, according to state media, could see India’s fledgling capability as more of a threat.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Factbox: Anti-satellite weapons: rare, high-tech, and risky to testFACTBOX: Anti-satellite weapons: rare, high-tech, and risky to test by mgerrydoyle
Read more »
Modi says India tests anti-satellite weapon in major breakthroughPrime Minister Narendra Modi says India tests anti-satellite weapon in major breakthrough
Read more »
India joined an exclusive club with its latest anti-satellite missile test — here's why it mattersIndia joined an exclusive group of world powers with military space capabilities on Wednesday, as Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared a successful anti-satellite missile test.
Read more »
Modi says India conducted successful anti-satellite missile operationPrime Minister Narendra Modi said India has successfully conducted an anti-satellite missile test that put the country in a league of global 'space powers.'
Read more »
India conducted successful anti-satellite missile operation, Prime Minister saysIndian Prime Minister Narendra Modi says the country has achieved a 'historic feat' by shooting down its own low-orbit satellite with a missile in just three minutes
Read more »
U.S. studying India anti-satellite weapons test, warns of space debrisActing U.S. Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan warned any nations contemplating ...
Read more »
India says space debris from anti-satellite test to 'vanish' in 45 daysIndia expects space debris from its anti-satellite weapons launch to burn out in...
Read more »
India says it successfully test-fires anti-satellite weaponIn a rare televised address his first since late 2016 that comes just weeks before the nation goes to the polls, Prime Minister Modi announces Indian scientists have 'shot down a live satellite at a low-earth orbit.'
Read more »
India opposition leader criticizes Modi's announcement of anti-missile testAn Indian opposition leader, Mamata Banerjee, said she was lodging a complaint a...
Read more »
India says it successfully test-fires anti-satellite weapon
Read more »