Relevance : GS Paper III
Introduction
India has become only be the fourth country to test an ASAT weapon.
ASAT Tests by other Nations
- By US and Russia in 1960s.
- By China in 2007.
India lags Behind
- Other 3 nations are close to develop space weapons.
- India has a long way to catch up.
Analysing India’s ASAT Test
- Targeted a satellite in a low earth orbit of 300 km.
- India has had ASAT capabilities for long.
- Test is more about policy change than a technological breakthrough.
India’s Earlier Stand on ASAT Tests
- India argued against the weaponization of outer space.
- India resisted to manage the emerging space threats.
Conclusion
India must clearly articulate its military space doctrine.
