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<ul><li>India successfully conducted its first anti-satellite (ASAT) missile weapon test yesterday.</li><li>The other super powers — Russia, the US and China — also have this capability.</li><li>The current treaties in place do not specify when and how the use of these weapons is justified.</li></ul>India just conducted its first test using anti-satellite (ASAT) missile weapon called ‘<keyword id="3384000" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mission-Shakti">Mission Shakti</keyword>’. Donald Trump, the US president, is calling for a ‘Space Force’. And, space technology — preventive or offensive or benign — has become an integral instrument for the functioning of daily life. It’s not quite an arms race when only four countries — Russia, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indias-asat-mission-shakti-creates-space-debris/articleshow/68594904.cms">India</a>, China and <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/donald-trump-calls-for-space-force/article26653520.ece">the US</a>, the supposed space ‘superpowers’ — are building up their technology, that too years apart. But, it is a cause for concern if other countries follow in their footsteps — especially in light of the fact that there are no terms of agreement in place for the use of ASATs. The <keyword id="489898" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Outer-Space-Treaty">Outer Space Treaty</keyword>, formally the Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration and Use of Outer Space, does not <a href="https://scholarship.law.georgetown.edu/facpub/453/">address</a> the use of ASATs either. “If more and more countries come up with this technology, there may be an arms race. But, India will not be triggering factor. But, India might be an excuse,” Kumar Abhijeet, a member of the International Institute of Space Law, told Business Insider. He goes on to say, “Nowhere is ASAT testing prohibited. We are very much within the international laws to make use of it.” So, while testing of ASATs doesn’t violate any international treaty, there is little information around when the use of ASAT may be permitted. So far, whenever the technology has been tested, it’s only be used to take out a country’s own satellite. 
 
 
 
 
 <div type="ExtQuote" text="So far, whether its India, China, US or Russia, all of these have demonstrated ASAT capabilities with the destruction of their own satellites. None of these states have targeting satellite from other countries." auname="Kumar Abhijeet, Member of the International Institute of Space Law and Research Scholar at the Institute of Air and Space Law"></div>











 But, in reality, an ASAT can take out any kind of satellite. What matters is the intention behind the attack. According to Abhijeet, “If there is proof that a satellite is being used to spy and that there is a threat to the national security or if there is a threat of any kind of armed attack - then a preemptive attack can be made.” He goes on to explain, “The treaty doesn’t say anything with regard to that. But then, whenever there is a necessity — necessity knows no boundary. Particularly in the national interest if anything is there — a country can do that.” While India maintains that they have no intention of weaponizing the space race, its neighboring nations have perceived the progress of Mission Shakti in a different way. 
 
 
 
 
 <div type="ExtQuote" text="For India, the objective is preemptive. The geopolitical strategy which is prevailing between the countries, our neighbors being Pakistan and China, it has become a necessity for the defence sector to develop those capabilities." auname="Kumar Abhijeet, Member of the International Institute of Space Law and Research Scholar at the Institute of Air and Space Law"></div>











 Brian Weeden, the director of program planning at the Secure World Foundation took to Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/brianweeden/status/1110898862624071682">asking</a> if any commercial space companies would be interesting in taking a stand and boycotting the polar satellite launch vehicle (PSLV). 
	<div type="twitter" handle="brianweeden" handlename="brianweeden" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/609770691576135680/jqXW8y5R_normal.jpg" favoritecount="55" retweetcount="16" status="/21 So I wonder if any commercial space companies are willing to take a stand on this and boycott the PSLV to send… https://t.co/6vgCrunt4Z" createdat="1553693903000" id="1110898862624071682"></div>



 Though he later <a href="https://spacenews.com/reactions-to-indian-asat/">clarified</a> that he was only fostering responsible behavior by asking companies to analyse the role that they want to play in the peaceful use of resources in outer space. Pakistan is calling for the international community to condemn the act while China took a more subtle approach stating, “We have noticed reports and hope that each country will uphold peace and tranquillity in outer space.” The ambiguities about space law and its enforceability can lead to uncertainty for stakeholders. The U.N. chief, Antonio Guterres, has already <a href="https://news.un.org/en/story/2019/02/1033512">expressed</a> his cynicism stating, “Key components of the international arms control architecture are collapsing,” with respect to global disarmament efforts. Although <keyword id="7471230" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="war-in-space">war in space</keyword> isn’t a phenomenon just yet, it is both, a grim reality and a technological feat, that countries are <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/the-race-to-become-the-next-space-superpower-lands-china-on-the-dark-side-of-the-moon/articleshow/67364186.cms">arming</a> themselves with ASATs to show that they are ready to counter any threats from outer space. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/prime-minister-modi-in-his-live-address-says-indian-scientists-shot-down-a-low-orbit-satellite-300-km-away-in-space/articleshow/68593276.cms">India enters an elite club after scientists shoot down a low orbit satellite 300 km away in space</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/Indias-test-of-its-anti-satellite-weapon-may-have-weakened-its-fight-against-dangerous-space-debris/articleshow/68594904.cms">India's test of its anti-satellite weapon may have weakened its fight against dangerous space debris</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/the-race-to-become-the-next-space-superpower-lands-china-on-the-dark-side-of-the-moon/articleshow/67364186.cms">The race to become the next space ‘superpower’ lands China on the ‘dark side’ of the moon</a>

It might be time for ‘space superpowers’ to bring in a new space treaty

<ul><li>The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) claims that India's test of their anti-satellite weapon is a "terrible, terrible thing."</li><li>The head of NASA stated, "That kind of activity is not compatible with the future of human spaceflight."</li><li>But, most experts feel like since the test was conducted at an altitude of 250kms, it's unlikely to be a threat to the <keyword id="6382020" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="international-space-station">International Space Station</keyword> (ISS).</li></ul>The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has strongly criticised <keyword id="3384000" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mission-Shakti">Mission Shakti</keyword>, India's anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon test, saying the debris from the explosion endangers the International Space Station (ISS). According to NASA, the risk of collision of the debris with the International Space Station (ISS) has increased by 44% over the last 10 days. "What we are tracking right now, objects big enough to track — we're talking about 10 centimeters (six inches) or bigger — about 60 pieces have been tracked," Jim Bridenstine, the administrator of NASA said in an announcement to his employees. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 <div type="ExtQuote" text="That is a terrible, terrible thing to create an event that sends debris at an apogee that goes above the International Space Station: That kind of activity is not compatible with the future of human spaceflight." auname="Jim Bridenstine, administrator of NASA"></div>

















 This may put India's collaboration with US on <keyword id="7168485" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mission-Gaganyaan">Mission Gaganyaan</keyword>, the Indian human spaceflight programme, in jeopardy. Bridentstine and the <keyword id="6358064" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="isro">ISRO</keyword> Chairman, K Sivan, were <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/us-india-collaboration-gaganyaan-manned-space-mission-charles-bolden-1474207-2019-03-09">reportedly</a> in talks about forming a working group to work exclusively on the project. It may also push India towards cementing its <a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/india/russia-commits-full-support-to-indias-first-manned-space-mission-gaganyaan-pm-modi-5388790/">collaboration</a> with Russia for the Gaganyaan mission. India and France was already signed a memorandum of understanding where the French scientists will share their expertise to help the human space project get off the ground. Is there really a threat to the ISS? The United States Air Force (USAF) has also been tracking remnants from India's ASAT test. Lt. Gen. David Thompson, vice commander of USAF <a href="https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/03/27/u-s-military-sensors-track-debris-from-indian-anti-satellite-test/">told</a> the Senate Armed Services Committee in the US that, "they are tracking about 270 different objects in the debris field." Adding that the number will only grow as the debris spreads out and their sensors pick up more information. An <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indias-anti-satellite-missile-test-may-have-created-6500-eraser-size-pieces-of-space-junk-near-earth-according-to-a-new-simulation/articleshow/68639583.cms">estimated</a> 6,500 pieces of space debris as expected as a result of Mission Shakti according to a simulation created by Analytical Graphics Inc., an engineering software company that creates models of the space environment around Earth. The Indian government, on the other hand, <a href="https://www.mea.gov.in/press-releases.htm?dtl/31179/Frequently_Asked_Questions_on_Mission_Shakti_Indias_AntiSatellite_Missile_test_conducted_on_27_March_2019">claims</a> that their test was specifically conducted in low Earth orbit (LEO) in order to ensure that there is no space debris created. And whatever debris may have been left behind, will eventually decay and fall back onto Earth within the span of a few weeks. Experts like Kumar Abhijeet, member of the International Institute of Space Law, also believe that the debris will most likely dissipate in the atmosphere. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 <div type="ExtQuote" text="Now, debris also depends on where we’re doing the test. In China’s case, they did it at 800kms — we’ve conducted ours at 300kms. The debris will most likely burn up in the atmosphere. So there is minimum chance of debris being created." auname="Kumar Abhijeet, Member of the International Institute of Space Law and Research Scholar at the Institute of Air and Space Law"></div>

















 While China's ASAT test in 2007 might have resulted in the destruction of two Russian satellites due the debris left behind, the test was also conducted at a higher altitude of 850 kilometers. India's test, on the other hand was at an altitude of 300kms. Since it well below the 400 kms threshold, most experts are <a href="http://www.thespacereview.com/article/3686/1">claiming</a> are there is no threat to the ISS especially since the debris from the 2008 test conducted by the US at 250kms dissipated within days. Since then, the Bridenstine has had to resume <a href="https://in.reuters.com/article/usa-india-debris/pentagon-says-india-debris-expected-to-burn-up-in-atmosphere-idINKCN1RG22J">cooperation </a>with ISRO after an assessment by the Pentagon revealed that the space debris generated by India's ASAT set would dissipate within a few months and does not pose a threat to human space flight. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indias-asat-mission-shakti-creates-space-debris/articleshow/68594904.cms">India's test of its anti-satellite weapon may have weakened its fight against dangerous space debris</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india-asat-test-marks-time-for-nations-to-make-new-space-treaty/articleshow/68607435.cms">It might be time for ‘space superpowers' to bring in a new space treaty</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/prime-minister-modi-in-his-live-address-says-indian-scientists-shot-down-a-low-orbit-satellite-300-km-away-in-space/articleshow/68593276.cms">India enters an elite club after scientists shoot down a low orbit satellite 300 km away in space</a>

NASA slams India's anti-satellite test, may pull support from mission Gaganyaan

<ul><li>India just tested is anti-satellite weapon (ASAT) by taking down a live satellite in low earth orbit. </li><li>While this may make India a 'space power', it weakens its fight against dangerous space debris.</li><li>In the past, Russian satellites have been destroyed by space debris that was left behind by China's testing of its ASAT.</li></ul>India’s prime minister, Narendra Modi, just announced the successful test of India’s anti-satellite weapon (ASAT). In his address to the nation, where he highlighted India’s entry to the club of the world’s space powers — he left out any mention of the resulting space debris. 
	
	
	
	
	
	
	<div type="twitter" handle="narendramodi" handlename="Chowkidar Narendra Modi" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/718314968102367232/ypY1GPCQ_normal.jpg" favoritecount="30875" retweetcount="10983" status="In the journey of every nation there are moments that bring utmost pride and have a historic impact on generations… https://t.co/nrGnTyDXdh" createdat="1553670539000" id="1110800868058660864"></div>















 And, while this gambit adds India to the list of the select few nations to have done so successfully, it’s out of place with India’s role as a member of the Inter-Agency Space Debris Coordination Committee (IADC). 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 <div type="ExtQuote" text="&quot;A similar test by China in 2007 has left behind a lot of debris which is still floating around.&quot;" auname="Ajay Lele, Senior Fellow with the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA)"></div>















 As a member of IADC, such a test by India could undermine the country’s credibility in the arena. India is also a signatory of the Outer Space Treaty which prohibits the use of weapons in space and requires nations to take steps to mitigate space debris. With respect to the first part Kumar Abhijeet, a member of the International Institute of Space Law (IISL) clarifies, "If we look up the international treaty. Nowhere is ASAT testing prohibited. We are very much within the international laws to make use of it." But, in cases where space debris is created, nations are under the obligation to pay compensation for any damages that arise from it. 
 
 
 
 <div type="ExtQuote" text="We are well within the norms, but if at all there any debris that has been created, since we are a part of international treaties, we owe the liability as well." auname="Kumar Abhijeet, Member of the International Institute of Space Law and Research Scholar at the Institute of Air and Space Law"></div>









 When China <a href="https://swfound.org/media/9550/chinese_asat_fact_sheet_updated_2012.pdf">tested</a> its ASAT capabilities back in 2007, the test left behind 2,500 to 3,000 pieces of dangerous space debris in Earth’s low earth orbit (LEO). And despite never ending perception of space, debris in that particular region is a threat to other satellites. A Russian satellite was one such <a href="https://www.space.com/20138-russian-satellite-chinese-space-junk.html">victim</a> in 2013, when a piece of space debris struck the body of the satellite, destroying it. And, the question is not solely about space debris destroying other satellites. It's also about how space debris can result in more space debris as it knocks into older objects left behind in space. The true danger is that some of these pieces of debris are so small that it's nearly impossible to track them. Unlike China, where the test was conducted at an altitude of 800 km, India's ASAT test was conducted only 300 km above the Earth where the probability of space debris is unlikely. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 <div type="ExtQuote" text="Debris also depends on where we’re doing the test. In China’s case, they did it at 800kms — we’ve conducted ours at 300kms. The debris will most likely burn up in the atmosphere. So there is minimum chance of debris being created." auname="Kumar Abhijeet, Member of the International Institute of Space Law and Research Scholar at the Institute of Air and Space Law"></div>













 'Operation Burn Frost' was conducted in a similar manner at an altitude of 240km. Even then, while most of the debris managed to fall back to Earth within a year, a few pieces were still blasted to a higher orbit. To prove it’s military might in space, India had the option of <a href="https://defenceupdate.in/space-war-indias-anti-satellite-weapons/">conducting</a> a fly-by test where, instead of destroying a live satellite, the missile would just glide past. A former Integrated Defence Staff Lieutenant General, HS Lidder, saw this coming when he <a href="http://www.nbcnews.com/id/25216230/ns/technology_and_science-space/t/indian-army-wants-military-space-program/">said</a>, “With time, we will get sucked into the military race to protect space assets and inevitably there will be a military contest in space. In a life and death scenario, space will provide the advantage.” See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/prime-minister-modi-in-his-live-address-says-indian-scientists-shot-down-a-low-orbit-satellite-300-km-away-in-space/articleshow/68593276.cms">Indian enters an elite space club after scientists shoot down a low orbit satellite 300 km away in space, says Prime Minister Modi</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/isro-is-to-trying-to-beat-elon-musks-spacex-success/articleshow/67550362.cms">India’s apex space agency is following Elon Musk's idea — and taking it a step forward</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/isro-nasa-just-spotted-a-black-hole-spinning-so-fast-that-it-could-be-making-space-itself-rotate/articleshow/66416605.cms">ISRO, NASA just spotted a black hole spinning so fast that it could be making space itself rotate</a>

India's test of its anti-satellite weapon may have weakened its fight against dangerous space debris

<ul><li><keyword id="3384000" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Mission-Shakti">Mission Shakti</keyword> gives India the power to destroy any satellite entering its orbit. </li><li>Indian scientists on 27 March shot down a low orbit satellite 300 km away in space, says Prime Minister Modi. </li><li>India is the fourth country to test anti-satellite missiles after US, Russia and China.</li></ul>India has joined an elite group of nations (US, Russia and China) who have the capability and technology of the anti-satellite system. The Indian Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Narendra-Modi">Narendra Modi</keyword> has said that our scientists shot down a low orbit satellite 300 km away in space. "Just a few minutes ago, our scientists shot down a live satellite on the LEO (<keyword id="3369680" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Low-Earth-Orbit">Low Earth Orbit</keyword>). They achieved it in just three minutes," he <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/prime-minister-modi-in-his-live-address-says-indian-scientists-shot-down-a-low-orbit-satellite-300-km-away-in-space/articleshow/68593276.cms">said.</a> An External Ministry Statement said, "The capability achieved through the A-SAT test provides credible deterrence against threats to our growing space-based assets from long range missiles, and proliferation in the types and numbers of missiles," it said. What was the Mission Shakti test? India conducted Mission Shakti, an <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indias-asat-mission-shakti-creates-space-debris/articleshow/68594904.cms">anti-satellite missile test,</a> from the Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam Island launch complex on March 27, 2019. The mission was carried out by DRDO. The satellite used during the test was the one present in India’s lower orbit. What are anti-satellites weapons Anti-satellites are space weapons designed to incapacitate or destroy satellites for strategic military purposes. There are only four countries in the world with this capability — the US, China, Russia and now India. These weapons can allow a country to attack enemy satellite by blinding them or disrupting their communication. They also provide a technical base for intercepting ballistic missiles. They are also helpful in bringing down spy satellites. India can now hit satellites at long ranges with a few centimeters accuracy, said Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chairman G Satheesh Reddy told news agency ANI. However, India has not directed the test against any country. The Ministry said the test was done in the lower atmosphere to ensure that there were no space debris. "Whatever debris that is generated will decay and fall back onto the earth within weeks." On why was the test done now, the statement said it was done after India had acquired the required degree of confidence to ensure its success and it reflected the intention of the government to enhance India's national security. (With IANS) See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/indias-asat-mission-shakti-creates-space-debris/articleshow/68594904.cms">India's new anti-satellite weapon has weakened its fight against dangerous space debris</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/prime-minister-modi-in-his-live-address-says-indian-scientists-shot-down-a-low-orbit-satellite-300-km-away-in-space/articleshow/68593276.cms">Indian enters an elite space club after scientists shoot down a low orbit satellite 300 km away in space, says Prime Minister Modi</a>

Mission Shakti and anti-satellite weapons: India’s space developments you need to know about

<ul><li>Indian scientists shot down a <keyword id="7468139" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="low-orbit-satellite">low orbit satellite</keyword> 300 km away in space, says Prime Minister Modi.</li><li>India is the fourth country to wield anti satellites after US, Russia and China.</li><li>This feat will be used only for security, peace, and development, reassures Modi.</li><li>No international covenant has been broken, according to the Indian PM.</li></ul> Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed that country's scientists shot down a low orbit satellite 300 km away in space. 
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 "Just a few minutes ago, our scientists shot down a live satellite on the LEO (Low Earth Orbit). They achieved it in just three minutes," he said without clarifying to which country the satellite shot down belonged to. The <keyword id="1020427" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="anti-satellite">anti-satellite</keyword> missiles were developed in India. However, Modi went on to reassure the international community that India will only use this new capability for its own security and development and that no international covenant has been broken in today's action. Anti-satellite missiles are space weapons designed to incapacitate or destroy satellites for strategic military purposes. For example, to bring down spy satellites. China successfully tested its own anti-satellite missile in 2007 after four failed attempts. "India has demonstrated a deterrence capability," space scientist Ajay Lele told the state-owned network Doordarshan. "It is unlikely that India would have raised the ante against any other country at this stage," he said adding that the scientists must have shot down its own satellite. An outer space treaty does not allow using weapons of mass destruction in the space, Lele explained. "A similar test by China in 2007 has left behind a lot of debris which is still floating around," Lele said. With the successful test launch of the Agni-V missile in 2012, India demonstrated the capability and technology to launch anti-satellite weapons but the government had not approved the development of such systems, former DRDO chief V K Saraswat <a href="http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/can-show-antisatellite-capability-if-govt-gives-nod-drdo-chief/939594/0" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">told the Indian Express</a> in April 2012. "Today, India has established itself as a space power," Modi said in a televised address on Wednesday (march 27). "Until now, only US, Russia and China could claim the title. India is the fourth country to achieve this feat," he added. India has a variety of satellites that are contributing to different sectors like weather, broadcasting, navigation, education, agriculture, aside from security. "Today's anti-satellite missiles will give a new strength to the country both in terms of security and development" Modi said. 
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India enters an elite club after scientists shoot down a low orbit satellite 300 km away in space

<ul><li>The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) quietly launched <keyword id="8143100" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="project-netra">Project NETRA</keyword> this month. </li><li>The Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis (NETRA) will track space debris and other potential threats to Indian satellites in space. </li><li>India will no longer be dependant on the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD) for tracking space objects. </li></ul>As the world debated over India’s lunar mission, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/moon-landing-drama-play-by-play-of-isro-losing-communication-with-chandrayaan-2s-lander/articleshow/71018307.cms">Chandrayaan 2</a>, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has quietly launched <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/isro-to-set-up-own-space-debris-agency-because-norad-data-inaccurate/articleshow/70550082.cms">Project NETRA</a> in the background. India’s warning system to detect space debris and other potential threats to Indian satellites is now live, according to a report by <a href="https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/science/isro-initiates-project-netra-to-safeguard-indian-space-assets-from-debris-and-other-harm/article29497795.ece">The Hindu</a>. The Network for Space Object Tracking and Analysis (NETRA) will safeguard India’s 50 functional satellites in space using an on-ground network of telescopes and radars under the Directorate of Space Situational Awareness and Management. According to ISRO, NETRA won’t be tracking space objects exclusively. It will also have military applications — just like NORAD — serving as a warning system against incoming missiles or space attacks from hostile nations. Self-sufficiency in space situational awareness India’s new ₹400 crore ($56 million) system ensures India will no longer have to depend on data from the North America Aerospace Defence Command (<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/US-military-bases-are-still-using-Chinese-surveillance-video-cameras-just-weeks-before-a-federal-ban-takes-effect/articleshow/70281636.cms">NORAD</a>). Publically available data on the portal was not accurate enough and useful data is exclusive to NORAD members, which was a major obstacle, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/isro-to-set-up-own-space-debris-agency-because-norad-data-inaccurate/articleshow/70550082.cms">according to</a> ISRO Chairman K Sivan. NETRA is the first step in making India self sufficient when it comes to space situational awareness (SSA). What can NETRA do? As of now, NETRA can only track objects in low-earth orbit (<a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/prime-minister-modi-in-his-live-address-says-indian-scientists-shot-down-a-low-orbit-satellite-300-km-away-in-space/articleshow/68593276.cms">LEO</a>), which is only 2,000 kilometers above the Earth’s surface. It can detect objects as small as 10 centimeters in size up within a range of 3,400 kilometers. Going forward, ISRO has plans to upgrade that capability to track the geostationationary orbit (GEO) as well at 36,000 kilometers. Plans for NETRA include a high-precision and long-range telescope in Leh, a radar in the North East, telescopes in Ponmudi and Mount Abu. It will also use the Multi-Object Tracking Radar (MOTR) at the Satish Dhawan Space Center in Sriharikota. The entire network will also include data processing units and a control center. See also: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/isro-to-set-up-own-space-debris-agency-because-norad-data-inaccurate/articleshow/70550082.cms">India doesn't trust US with measuring space debris — and so it will set up its own agency</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india-space-activities-bill-addresses-damage-in-outer-space/articleshow/69960212.cms">India’s new ‘Space Activities Bill’ will fix the liability for damage caused in outer space</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/us-russia-china-and-india-standoff-over-space-debris-after-a-sat-test/articleshow/70837355.cms">US, Russia and China with space debris in the thousands are complaining about 49 pieces from India's A-SAT test</a>

India's new space warning system will also keep an eye out for hostile missiles

<div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div><ul class="summary-list"><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/india" target="_blank" rel="noopener">India</a> launched a missile into space on Wednesday morning that intentionally destroyed one of its own satellites.</li><li>The anti-satellite missile test, known as "<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/scientists-in-india-just-shot-down-a-low-orbit-satellite-in-space-2019-3">Mission Shakti</a>," created a field of debris about 185 miles above Earth.</li><li><a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/anti-satellite-warfare" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Anti-satellite weaponry</a> raise the risk of creating a large and lasting catastrophe in space called a "<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/category/kessler-syndrome" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kessler syndrome</a>" event.</li><li>A Kessler syndrome describes a runaway cascade of space debris that'd complicate and curtail human access to and use of space for centuries.</li></ul>Early this morning, India launched a missile toward space, struck an Earth-orbiting satellite, and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/scientists-in-india-just-shot-down-a-low-orbit-satellite-in-space-2019-3">destroyed the spacecraft</a>.Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a televised address shortly after the launch to declare the anti-satellite or ASAT test a success. He praised the maneuver, called "Mission Shakti," as "an unprecedented achievement" that registers India as "a space power." Modi also clarified that the satellite was one of India's own, according to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-india-satellite/india-shoots-down-own-satellite-pm-hails-indias-arrival-as-space-power-idUSKCN1R80IA" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reuters</a>. "Our scientists shot down a live satellite. They achieved it in just three minutes," he said during the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRZ9A3wQBfw" target="_blank" rel="noopener">broadcast</a>, adding: "Until now, only US, Russia, and China could claim the title. India is the fourth country to achieve this feat."While Modi and his supporters may hail the event as an epic achievement, India's ASAT test represents an escalation toward space warfare and also heightens the risk that humanity could lose access to crucial regions of the space around Earth.That's because destroying the satellite created debris that's now floating in space. Those pieces have the potential to collide with, damage, and possibly destroy other spacecraft.Read more:<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/space-junk-kessler-syndrome-chain-reaction-prevention-2018-3"> A space junk disaster could cut off human access to space. Here's how.</a>The threat that debris poses isn't limited to expensive satellites. Right now, six crew members are living on board the International Space Station roughly 250 miles above Earth. That's about 65 miles higher than the 185-mile altitude of India's now-obliterated satellite, but there is nonetheless a chance some debris could reach higher orbits and threaten the space station.Two astronauts are scheduled to conduct a spacewalk on Friday (it was going to be the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nasa-female-astronauts-spacewalk-space-station-mcclain-koch-2019-3">first all-female spacewalk</a>, but that's no longer the case) to make upgrades to the orbiting laboratory's batteries. Spokespeople at NASA did not immediately respond to Business Insider's requests for information about the risk posed by this new debris field.Regardless of what happens next, tracking the debris is essential."The Department of Defense is aware of the Indian ASAT launch," a spokesperson for the US Air Force's 18th Space Control Squadron, which tracks and catalogs objects in space, told Business Insider in an email. "US Strategic Command's Joint Force Space Component Command is actively tracking and monitoring the situation."But a potential risk to the ISS or other spacecraft only scratches the surface of larger worries associated with destroying space satellites, either intentionally or accidentally.<h2>Space debris begets more space debris</h2><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div>Any collision in space creates a cloud of debris, with each piece moving at about 17,500 mph. That's roughly the speed required to keep a satellite <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/earth-moon-distance-edge-of-outer-space-2018-5">in low-Earth orbit</a>, and more than 10 times as fast as a bullet shot from a gun.At such velocities, even a stray paint chip can disable a satellite. Jack Bacon, a scientist at NASA, <a href="https://www.wired.com/2010/05/ff_space_junk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">told Wired</a> in 2010 that a strike by a softball-size sphere of aluminum would be akin to detonating 7 kilograms of TNT explosives.This is worrisome for a global society increasingly reliant on space-based infrastructure to make calls, get online, find the most efficient route home via GPS, and more.The ultimate fear is a space-access nightmare that Donald J. Kessler first described in 1978 while he was a NASA astrophysicist. In such a situation, one collision in space would create a cloud of debris that leads to other collisions, which in turn would generate even more debris, leading to a runaway effect.So much high-speed space junk could surround Earth, Kessler calculated, that it might make it too risky for anyone to attempt launching spacecraft until most of the garbage slowed down in <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/earth-atmosphere-extends-beyond-moon-hydrogen-gas-cloud-2019-2">the outer fringes of our planet's atmosphere</a>, fell toward the ground, and burned up."The orbital-debris problem is a classic tragedy of the commons problem, but on a global scale," Kessler said in a <a href="https://youtu.be/xgGm5odlIh4">2012 video documentary</a>. Given the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/space-debris-garbage-statistics-country-list-2017-10">thousands of satellites in space</a> today, a collision cascade could play out over hundreds of years and get increasingly worse over time, perhaps indefinitely, unless technologies are developed to vaporize or deorbit space junk.<h2>A launch in the wrong direction</h2><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div>An ASAT test that China conducted in January 2007 showed how much of a headache the debris from these shoot-downs can become.After a Chinese missile armed with a "kinetic kill vehicle" (essentially a giant bullet-like slug) smashed a 1,650-pound weather satellite, the collision created a cloud of more than 2,300 trackable chunks of debris the size of golf balls or larger. It also left behind 35,000 pieces larger than a fingernail, and perhaps 150,000 bits smaller than that, according to the <a href="http://www.centerforspace.com/asat/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Center for Space Standards and Innovation</a> (CSSI) and <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-17497766" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the BBC</a>.The CSSI <a href="http://www.centerforspace.com/asat/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">called the test</a> "the largest debris-generating event in history, far surpassing the previous record set in 1996."Years later, satellite operators and NASA are still dodging the fallout with their spacecraft.Read more: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/space-junk-collision-statistics-government-tracking-2017-2018-4">The US government logged 308,984 potential space-junk collisions in 2017 - and the problem could get much worse</a>Even without missiles, plenty of space debris is created regularly. Each launch of a rocket deposits some debris up there, and older satellites that have no de-orbiting system or aren't "parked" in a safe orbit can collide with other satellites.Such a crash happened on February 10, 2009: A deactivated Russian communications satellite slammed into a US communications satellite at a combined speed of about 26,000 mph. The collision created thousands of pieces of new debris, many of which are still in orbit.<h2>There are more productive ways to use rockets</h2><div class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><div><div class="image"></div></div></div>To be clear, India's "Mission Shakti" test likely was not as dangerous as these other debris-creating events.At an altitude of about 185 miles, it was roughly 350 miles closer to Earth than China's 2007 test or the US-Russian satellite crash of 2009. That means the pieces will fall out of orbit at a faster rate. However, the satellite India destroyed was not small - it likely weighed about 1,540 lbs, according to <a href="https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/03/india-shoots-down-a-weather-satellite-declares-itself-a-space-power/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ars Technica</a>.Modi did not immediately respond to Business Insider's request for comment on the ASAT test's debris field, but according to Reuters, India "ensured there was no debris in space and the remnants would 'decay and fall back on to the earth within weeks.'" In that sense, the test may be more similar to a <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20180810124328/https://www.cnn.com/2008/TECH/space/02/20/satellite.shootdown/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Navy shoot-down of a satellite in 2008</a>.However, the forces involved a space-based crash can accelerate debris into higher and different orbits. So obliterating any satellite is not a step in the right direction. Nor is creating a capability that could one day, either intentionally or accidentally, spark a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/space-junk-kessler-syndrome-chain-reaction-prevention-2018-3">"Kessler syndrome"</a> event.Much like the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/nuclear-arms-deal-terminology-definitions-2018-7">idea of deterrence with nuclear weapons</a> - "if you attack me, I'll attack you with more devastating force" - deterrence with anti-satellite weapons is extremely risky. With either, miscalculation could lead to devastating and lasting problems that affect the entire world.Read more: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/india-pakistan-kashmir-nuclear-weapons-climate-cooling-2019-2">If India and Pakistan have a 'limited' nuclear war, scientists say it could wreck Earth's climate and trigger global famine</a>As a global society, it'd behoove us not to cheer the achievement of a weapons capability that edges the world closer to a frightening brink. Instead, we should rebuke such tests and instead demand from our leaders peaceful cooperation in space, including the development of means to control our <a href="https://www.iadc-online.org/Documents/IADC-2012-08,%20Rev%201,%20Stability%20of%20Future%20LEO%20Environment.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">already spiraling space-debris problem</a>.Rather than individual countries investing in missile-based weaponry, perhaps we could spend that human and financial capital on some of the world's most <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/paris-climate-change-limits-100-years-2017-6">dire and pressing problems</a> - or even work toward <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/moon-missions-why-astronauts-have-not-returned-2018-7">returning people to the moon</a> and rocketing the first crews <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/mars-colonization-human-survival-radiation-food-biosphere-2018-4">to Mars</a>.Sriram Iyer and Ruqayyah Moynihan contributed reporting and translation assistance.This is an opinion column. The thoughts expressed are those of the author.

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