India Shoots Down Satellite: Economic Times

India’s prime minister announced that the country conducted an anti-satellite weapons test against a low-orbit target. Pranab Dhal Samanta explains for the Economic Times that most observation satellites operate in low orbit, providing navigation, surveillance and communication services. China launched its first low-orbit satellite in December and plans to add 150 more before 2025. “There’s no doubt that the test is a signal to China on its willingness to raise its capabilities to counter Chinese space assets,” he notes. “Beijing also combined with Moscow in 2014 to float the ‘Treaty on the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons in Outer Space, the Threat or Use of Force Against Outer Space Objects (PPWT)’ as an alternative to US-backed PAROS (Prevention of Arms Race in Outer Space) in the UN Conference of Disarmament.” The United States opposes the Russian-Chinese approach and wants bans to include anti-satellite tests. In the meantime, India catches up before any possible ban, signaling willingness to abide by rules. Its test respected a 300-kilometer limit covered by the Missile Technology Control Regime. India is a member and China is not. – YaleGlobal

India Shoots Down Satellite: Economic Times

India’s anti-satellite space test demonstrates willingness to abide by and shape global space rules – and an option to target Chinese low-orbit assets
Pranab Dhal Samanta
Thursday, March 28, 2019

Read the article from the Economic Times about India’s anti-satellite test.

Pranab Dhal Samanta is the deputy executive editor of the Economic Times.      

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