Mission Shakti has ensured that it secures a place in the space power league.The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on Saturday addressed media in New Delhi on Mission Shakti project that was launched on March 27. DRDO chairman Dr G Satheesh Reddy briefed the media on the technical aspects of the anti-satellite missile (ASAT) saying that all the debris of the mission will decay in 45 days. The ASAT missile launch last month drew criticism from NASA as it condemned the mission over ignoring safety concerns in the space, especially threat to the International Space Station.
While addressing the media, Reddy said that the safety of space assets has been ensured and the whole team behind India’s space operation has worked diligently, keeping in mind the safety of ISS.
Interestingly, DRDO’s interaction with media comes just five days ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
India chose a much lower orbit to avoid threat of debris to global space assets: Reddy
DRDO Chairman G Satheesh Reddy today said that Indian chose a much lower orbit for Mission Shakti to avoid threat of debris to global space assets. The DRDO chief's statement came three days after an ISRO scientist claimed that China had also did an experiment at 800 kilometer altitude where the air pressure is not much. "The debris is still flying around,” he said.
Best way of defence is to have deterrence: DRDO chief
At the DRDO press conference, the DRDO chairman said that the best way of defence is to have deterrence. "Space has gained importance in the military domain," Reddy said.
WATCH | DRDO video on Mission Shakti
All Mission Shakti debris will decay in 45 days: DRDO chief
Further elaborating, the DRDO chief said that all the debris of anti-satellite missile will decay in 45 days. Earlier, when NASA had condemned Mision Shakti, an ISRO scientist had claimed that all the debris from the “Mission Shakti” experiment will burn out in the next six months.
Mission Shakti will boost country's military capability also: DRDO
While asserting that Mission Shakti will boost the country's military capability, Reddy said: "The country has shown ground-based direct hit deterrence capability, it works for the defence also."
Space has gained importance in the military domain: DRDO chief
The DRDO chief said that space has gained importance in the military domain. "When a country like India has done an exercise like this and shown capability of interception of a target, you have shown the capability for such operations. Best way of defence is to have deterrence," he told ANI.
Mission of this nature after a test is conducted can’t be kept secret: DRDO chief
Reacting to senior Congress leader PM Chidambaram's statement on Mission Shakti, DRDO Chief G Satheesh Reddy said: "Mission of this nature after a test is conducted can’t be kept secret. The satellite is tracked by many stations across the world. All necessary permissions were taken."
The press conference is being held by DRDO chairman Dr G. Satheesh Reddy
DRDO chairman G. Satheesh Reddy is addressing the media in Delhi