Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address to the nation on Wednesday, 27 March, announced that India made its way into the “elite space power” club, becoming the fourth country in the world after the US, Russia and China to achieve the status.
PM Modi said that an Anti Satellite weapons, A-SAT, has successfully targeted and brought down a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Satellite, flying at an altitude of 300 kilometres in space.
“It will make India stronger, even more secure and will further peace and harmony.”Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India
The operation, called ‘Mission Shakti’, was aimed at strengthening India's overall security, PM Modi further said in his address.
“Mission Shakti was a highly complex one, conducted at extremely high speed with remarkable precision. It shows the remarkable dexterity of India’s outstanding scientists and the success of our space programme.”Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India
The mission, carried out by DRDO scientists, using an India-made ASAT missile, took only three minutes to carry out, he said.
“Congratulations to every DRDO scientist associated with this mission. They deserve our respect for completing this next to impossible mission, they have made the country proud.”Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India
PM Modi further talked about India’s space efforts, saying that India now has enough satellites in the space now. He also said that the space developments have been benefitting the citizens of the country in many ways.
“Everyone from scientists to farmers are benefiting from our space programs. The addition on the ASAT Missile has given the nation fresh strength. We use technology for the 1.3 billion people of the country - for their security.”Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India
PM Modi also clarified that this does not change India’s stand against using weapons in space.
He ended by laying out his vision for India - “always two steps ahead”.
PM Modi had announced the address in a tweet, saying that he has an important message for the people of the country, sending the whole country in a tizzy as to what can be about.
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