India Successfully Shoots Down Low Earth Orbit Satellite To Become 4th Space Power

Today, PM Narendra Modi in an official address to the nation announced that Indian scientists have successfully conducted ‘Mission Shakti’ and have shot down a low earth orbit satellite with an anti-satellite missile.

‘Mission Shakti’ was coordinated by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Chairman G. Satheesh Reddy and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval along with other officers of the National security council, according to sources.

The low-earth orbit satellite (LEO), an anti-satellite weapon, which was just 300km away in space, was shot down within just 3 minutes.

Anti-satellites are space weapons designed to incapacitate or destroy satellites for strategic military purposes.

“This is a big moment for India. Something that all of us should be proud of. We are not just capable to defend ourselves on land, water and air, but now also in space. I congratulate all scientists who have made this possible and made India a much stronger nation,” PM Narendra Modi said.

With ‘Mission Shakti’, India has demonstrated its technical abilities and is now the fourth country to be a “space power” after Russia, the US and China.

“Our aim is to maintain peace over warmongering. The space programme’s aim is peace, India’s economic and technological progress,” the PM said.

He further assured the international community that this was done for the nation’s security and that it does not violate any international laws.

Watch his address to the nation here:

A proud moment for the country indeed!