DRDO Chairman G Satheesh Reddy has said that most of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/a-sat-india-chose-much-lower-orbit-to-avoid-debris-threat-to-global-space-assets-says-drdo-208471">debris generated from the anti-satellite test</a> conducted by India in March have decayed and rest of it will dissipate in a "short period of time".

He said this in response to a question after delivering a talk on 'Technology for National Security' on Friday at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), a city-based think tank.

"As I had mentioned on April 6, the debris were to decay in a few weeks time. As per the information that we have already got, most of the debris has decayed. And, whatever, couple of pieces are there, they will be decaying in a short period of time," Reddy said.

The Defence Research and Development Organisation chief said the continuous information being received is monitored and "I don't think there are any issues".

"It is extremely difficult to predict as to how many days it would take...But, as I had said that day, that they would decay in a few weeks, and the majority of them have decayed," he added.

On April 6 at a press conference at DRDO Bhawan here, Reddy had said India chose a much lower orbit of less than 300 km during 'Mission Shakti' for "capability demonstration" and to avoid threat of debris to global space assets.

His remark had come days after the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) raised concerns about the spread of debris from India's anti-satellite test conducted on March 27.

India's Ministry of External Affairs, too, has said the test was done in the lower atmosphere to ensure that there is no space debris.

On another question on leakage of defence know how-related data, he said, "We haven't seen cases as such, but we are careful".

"There are no serious issues as such, but of late, because of the apprehensions of cyber attacks and cyber-related issues, we are sensitising people in the industry and also in our own laboratories on it," he said.&nbsp;

DRDO Chairman G Satheesh Reddy has said that most of the debris generated from the anti-satellite test conducted by India in March have decayed and rest of it will dissipate in a "short period of time".

DRDO Chairman G Satheesh Reddy has said that most of the debris generated from the anti-satellite test conducted by India in March have decayed and rest of it will dissipate in a "short period of time". He said this in response to a question after delivering a talk on 'Technology for National Security' on Friday at the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA), a city-based think tank. "As I had mentioned on April 6, the debris were to decay in a few weeks time. As per the information that we have already got, most of the debris has decayed. And, whatever, couple of pieces are there, they will be decaying in a short period of time," Reddy said. The Defence Research and Development Organisation chief said the continuous information being received is monitored and "I don't think there are any issues". "It is extremely difficult to predict as to how many days it would take...But, as I had said that day, that they would decay in a few weeks, and the majority of them have decayed," he added. On April 6 at a press conference at DRDO Bhawan here, Reddy had said India chose a much lower orbit of less than 300 km during 'Mission Shakti' for "capability demonstration" and to avoid threat of debris to global space assets. His remark had come days after the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) raised concerns about the spread of debris from India's anti-satellite test conducted on March 27. India's Ministry of External Affairs, too, has said the test was done in the lower atmosphere to ensure that there is no space debris. On another question on leakage of defence know how-related data, he said, "We haven't seen cases as such, but we are careful". "There are no serious issues as such, but of late, because of the apprehensions of cyber attacks and cyber-related issues, we are sensitising people in the industry and also in our own laboratories on it," he said.

Most of debris generated from India's anti-satellite test has decayed: Reddy

India's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-conducted-asat-test-because-they-face-threats-from-other-nations-in-space-us-commander-to-senate-committee-209715">anti-satellite missile test</a> carried out last month was clearly targeted towards China and could exacerbate New Delhi's rivalry with Beijing, a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-continue-to-collaborate-with-india-on-security-and-safety-in-space-us-on-asat-test-207649">top US expert</a> has said, underlining that India now must brace itself for a long-term space competition.

On March 27, India achieved a historic feat by shooting down its own low-orbit satellite with a ground-to-space missile, making the country a space power. The test made India the fourth country in the world after the US, Russia and China to have the ASAT capabilities.

Ashley J Tellis, Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs and senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on Tuesday said, The Indian ASAT test was in actuality a shot across the bow to China. As such, it will only exacerbate the rivalry with Beijing, even if only silently."

India, therefore, must brace itself for a long-term space competition. If it fails to do so, it will have to contend with the worst of both worlds: heightened threats from China in the face of increasing Indian vulnerability, he said.

"And that would be an unenviable position for New Delhi as it seeks to play a larger role on the global stage," the top American expert on India said, asserting that India now must brace itself for a long-term space competition.

China is developing its counter-space capabilities in response to the US, and New Delhi is now threatened by this Chinese programme, he said. India must improve its capacity to use space despite rising Chinese threats while sustaining its commitment to protecting space for civilian use, he added.

What India accordingly needs more than ever is effective antidotes to Chinese counter-space capabilities that are not debris-causing, Tellis said.

Only such capabilities will enable New Delhi to credibly deter Beijing's space denial programmes below the levels of ultimate physical violence directed at various space systems the grey zone in which more counter space activities are likely to materialise in the future, given the growing international antipathy to any actions that make space unusable for human endeavours, he said.

In this context, the best deterrent for New Delhi is to improve its capacity to use space despite the inevitable Chinese interference. There will always be a need for some offensive capabilities, Tellis said.

"India has recognised this reality and as such has begun to develop embryonic counter space systems of the sort exemplified by its ASAT interceptor," he noted, adding that New Delhi has also begun to plan more activities for military space operations, for now focusing mainly on ways to preserve India's freedom to use space for both developmental and strategic reasons without undue interference by others.

India's anti-satellite missile test carried out last month was clearly targeted towards China and could exacerbate New Delhi's rivalry with Beijing, a top US expert has said, underlining that India now must brace itself for a long-term space competition.

India's anti-satellite missile test carried out last month was clearly targeted towards China and could exacerbate New Delhi's rivalry with Beijing, a top US expert has said, underlining that India now must brace itself for a long-term space competition. On March 27, India achieved a historic feat by shooting down its own low-orbit satellite with a ground-to-space missile, making the country a space power. The test made India the fourth country in the world after the US, Russia and China to have the ASAT capabilities. Ashley J Tellis, Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs and senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace on Tuesday said, The Indian ASAT test was in actuality a shot across the bow to China. As such, it will only exacerbate the rivalry with Beijing, even if only silently." India, therefore, must brace itself for a long-term space competition. If it fails to do so, it will have to contend with the worst of both worlds: heightened threats from China in the face of increasing Indian vulnerability, he said. "And that would be an unenviable position for New Delhi as it seeks to play a larger role on the global stage," the top American expert on India said, asserting that India now must brace itself for a long-term space competition. China is developing its counter-space capabilities in response to the US, and New Delhi is now threatened by this Chinese programme, he said. India must improve its capacity to use space despite rising Chinese threats while sustaining its commitment to protecting space for civilian use, he added. What India accordingly needs more than ever is effective antidotes to Chinese counter-space capabilities that are not debris-causing, Tellis said. Only such capabilities will enable New Delhi to credibly deter Beijing's space denial programmes below the levels of ultimate physical violence directed at various space systems the grey zone in which more counter space activities are likely to materialise in the future, given the growing international antipathy to any actions that make space unusable for human endeavours, he said. In this context, the best deterrent for New Delhi is to improve its capacity to use space despite the inevitable Chinese interference. There will always be a need for some offensive capabilities, Tellis said. "India has recognised this reality and as such has begun to develop embryonic counter space systems of the sort exemplified by its ASAT interceptor," he noted, adding that New Delhi has also begun to plan more activities for military space operations, for now focusing mainly on ways to preserve India's freedom to use space for both developmental and strategic reasons without undue interference by others.

ASAT test: India should prepare for a long-term space competition with China, says US expert 

Pentagon defends India’s anti-satellite test, says country concerned about threats in space. Watch full video to know more.

Pentagon defends India's ASAT test

India is concerned about the "threats" it faces in space, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/we-continue-to-collaborate-with-india-on-security-and-safety-in-space-us-on-asat-test-207649">the Pentagon has said</a>, defending the country for acquiring anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test capabilities.

On March 27, India achieved a historic feat by shooting down its own <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-tracking-250-270-objects-from-indian-asat-test-debris-iss-not-at-risk-pentagon-206638">low-orbit satellite with a ground-to-space</a> missile, making the country a space power.

The test made India the fourth country in the world after the US, Russia and China to have the ASAT capabilities.

"The first lesson from the Indian ASAT is just the simple question of why did they do that. And the answer should be, I think to all the committee looking at it, is that they did that because they are concerned about threats to their nation from space," US Strategic Command Commander General John E Hyten told members of the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday.

"And therefore, they feel they have to have a capability to defend themselves in space," Hyten told Senate Armed Services Committee while responding to a question from Senators on the need for India to do anti-satellite missile test, and the debris it generated in the space.

After India's test, NASA had termed as a "terrible thing" the country's shooting down of one of its satellites, saying it created about 400 pieces of orbital debris, endangering the&nbsp;International Space Station (ISS).

NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine had said about 60 pieces were tracked and out of which 24 are going above the apogee of the ISS.

Hyten advocated for the development of some kind of international norms of behaviour in space.

"And where those norms of behaviour should begin, from my opinion, is with debris, because as the combatant commander responsible for space today, I don't want more debris," said the top Pentagon commander.

Raising the issue, Senator Tim Kaine said India announced last month that it had successfully conducted a test of an anti-satellite weapon.

"So, they had something in low earth orbit. They used an anti-satellite weapon to down, and it resulted in - the estimate's right now 400 pieces of debris, 24 which are large enough to potentially pose a threat to the International Space Station," he said.

"There have been other instances like this. There was a Chinese - a similar effort in 2007 that led to the catalogued 100,000 pieces of debris, many of which are still observing in debris fields that pose danger to other assets in space," he said.

There was a collision in '09 between a working US satellite and a sort of defunct Soviet-era satellite that - kind of a fender bender that produced debris. Then this debris causes challenges, he added.

"If we think that space is going to be more of a traffic jam, more satellites for all kinds of purposes up there, what should we be thinking about as a Senate in this committee or in Foreign Relations about sort of the rules?" he asked.

"What should the rules environment be, and what should we be doing to try to promote rules? India is an ally. We're not talking about an adversary doing something. We're talking about them testing some capacity, but then that creates challenges for all kinds of uses of space. How should we be solving problems like that?" Kaine asked.&nbsp;

India is concerned about the "threats" it faces in space, the Pentagon has said, defending the country for acquiring anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test capabilities.

India is concerned about the "threats" it faces in space, the Pentagon has said, defending the country for acquiring anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test capabilities. On March 27, India achieved a historic feat by shooting down its own low-orbit satellite with a ground-to-space missile, making the country a space power. The test made India the fourth country in the world after the US, Russia and China to have the ASAT capabilities. "The first lesson from the Indian ASAT is just the simple question of why did they do that. And the answer should be, I think to all the committee looking at it, is that they did that because they are concerned about threats to their nation from space," US Strategic Command Commander General John E Hyten told members of the powerful Senate Armed Services Committee on Thursday. "And therefore, they feel they have to have a capability to defend themselves in space," Hyten told Senate Armed Services Committee while responding to a question from Senators on the need for India to do anti-satellite missile test, and the debris it generated in the space. After India's test, NASA had termed as a "terrible thing" the country's shooting down of one of its satellites, saying it created about 400 pieces of orbital debris, endangering the International Space Station (ISS). NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine had said about 60 pieces were tracked and out of which 24 are going above the apogee of the ISS. Hyten advocated for the development of some kind of international norms of behaviour in space. "And where those norms of behaviour should begin, from my opinion, is with debris, because as the combatant commander responsible for space today, I don't want more debris," said the top Pentagon commander. Raising the issue, Senator Tim Kaine said India announced last month that it had successfully conducted a test of an anti-satellite weapon. "So, they had something in low earth orbit. They used an anti-satellite weapon to down, and it resulted in - the estimate's right now 400 pieces of debris, 24 which are large enough to potentially pose a threat to the International Space Station," he said. "There have been other instances like this. There was a Chinese - a similar effort in 2007 that led to the catalogued 100,000 pieces of debris, many of which are still observing in debris fields that pose danger to other assets in space," he said. There was a collision in '09 between a working US satellite and a sort of defunct Soviet-era satellite that - kind of a fender bender that produced debris. Then this debris causes challenges, he added. "If we think that space is going to be more of a traffic jam, more satellites for all kinds of purposes up there, what should we be thinking about as a Senate in this committee or in Foreign Relations about sort of the rules?" he asked. "What should the rules environment be, and what should we be doing to try to promote rules? India is an ally. We're not talking about an adversary doing something. We're talking about them testing some capacity, but then that creates challenges for all kinds of uses of space. How should we be solving problems like that?" Kaine asked.

India conducted ASAT test because they face threats from other nations in space: US commander to Senate committee

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on March 27 that India had successfully shot down one of its own low-grade decommissioned satellites with the help of an indigenously made missile produced by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It was unclear which missile from the family of missiles India possesses was employed for this. With a process code-named Mission Shakti, India became the fourth country in the world to develop this specialised technology and successfully test it, after the US, Russia and China. The test was carried out off the coast of Odisha and on a low orbit satellite 300 km above surface level.&nbsp;

To a public, even of the reasonably well-informed variety, the downing of our own satellite by an Indian missile and going into celebration mode must appear rather strange. The military-strategic implications of the achievement will take a little time to sink once the brouhaha over the application of Election Commission norms to the announcement, gets over.&nbsp;

A simple explanation from a military point of view is given here. Remember, having an eye in the sky in the form of satellites is a major advantage for militaries, which possess such capability. Besides the operational strategic domain involving close surveillance, there is navigation for aircraft, surface vehicles, vessels at sea and personnel on foot. Pinpoint targeting of long-range missiles is possible because of these. With the development of armed drones, the US operators have been located in Florida, US, and homing the drones to their targets in Afghanistan with the help of satellite surveillance and navigation. Surveillance from space has distinct advantage, in that it is like a permanent drone in the sky and covering an area well beyond imagination. It makes the verifiability of agreement on limitation of troops, or early warning signals of troop movement much more credible. India’s massive mobilisation before it can go to war with either adversary is vulnerable due to satellite pick up. In today’s world the Internet and many other networks are dependent for their area coverage on satellites. Modern wars without network centricity are almost unthinkable. Similarly, war without the cyber domain activated for offensive or defensive tasks cannot be imagined today. Satellites provide the capacity for wide area coverage and can assist with both offensive and defensive exploitation of the cyber domain.&nbsp;

Since so much now depends on satellites, making your adversary’s eyes, ears and nodes in the sky vulnerable to incapacitation through a physical attack (by kinetic contact) or other means was an obvious measure that militaries would pursue. When a satellite or satellites are taken out or rendered unusable, the resultant effect is most felt on the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capability of a nation or force. It helps in the efforts to remain ahead in the information and decision cycle. There are networks for command and control, control of artillery, logistics and communications, without which military operations are rendered almost ineffective. The US has been pursuing a programme focused on this from as early as 1959. The first test missed a satellite by a couple of kilometres but in 1962 and 1963 successful tests were conducted with ballistic missiles going up to a vertical height of 400 miles. It was the time of President Ronald Reagan that research took a different turn with the ‘Star Wars’ programme which was designed to destroy all incoming projectiles or unfriendly equipment in space through kinetic of directed energy means.&nbsp;

China commenced testing in 2007 but its very first test left a tremendous amount of space debris from the destruction of a low orbit older satellite. Debris in space resulting from the use of ASAT weapons, even for testing purposes, is a major challenge as even small particles can ram against functional satellites and damage them. It is reported by the UN Outer Space Affairs Department that only 1400 of the 19000 artificial objects being currently tracked in space are functional satellites, the rest mostly being debris. A set of UN guidelines on space debris have been formulated. India’s ASAT test was in a very low earth orbit thus mitigating the danger emerging from the resultant debris after the test.&nbsp;

So why has India undertaken the ASAT test? Firstly, much like nuclear weapons, ASAT could remain a strategic weapon for only deterrence and not be involved in actual war fighting although its direct life-threatening capability is lower by volumes. It is important to demonstrate the capability for deterrence especially since China has been developing its capability for fairly long. Secondly, it is always possible that a Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) kind of international agreement may force a moratorium on development and testing of ASAT in the future. That would leave India in the lurch and future testing against the treaty would draw sanctions and international ire. A physical test with data all canned gives a boost to strategic capability. While the MEA may have made the right move by discounting any objective or country being focused upon by India’s ASAT programme, it is important that the successful test has been done at a time when the subcontinent has just emerged from its latest crisis involving a near showdown between India and Pakistan. Pakistan is known for its copy cat approach and it could just be tempted to acquire such a capability of its own; of course with the assistance of its all-weather friend, China. Affordability is not something Pakistan usually looks at despite its almost paralysed economy.&nbsp;&nbsp;

There are fast emerging technologies in this field and we have to hear more about India’s progress in the anti-ballistic missile (ABM) domain for a future ‘iron dome’ concept. The US and Russia have the capabilities of launching an ASAT from the ship, land and space, while India, presently, has used a land installation. No doubt progress towards that will also be made as ISRO has demonstrated.

(This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the <a href="https://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/column-blinding-the-eye-in-the-sky-2734548">original article</a>)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on March 27 that India had successfully shot down one of its own low-grade decommissioned satellites with the help of an indigenously made missile produced by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on March 27 that India had successfully shot down one of its own low-grade decommissioned satellites with the help of an indigenously made missile produced by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It was unclear which missile from the family of missiles India possesses was employed for this. With a process code-named Mission Shakti, India became the fourth country in the world to develop this specialised technology and successfully test it, after the US, Russia and China. The test was carried out off the coast of Odisha and on a low orbit satellite 300 km above surface level. To a public, even of the reasonably well-informed variety, the downing of our own satellite by an Indian missile and going into celebration mode must appear rather strange. The military-strategic implications of the achievement will take a little time to sink once the brouhaha over the application of Election Commission norms to the announcement, gets over. A simple explanation from a military point of view is given here. Remember, having an eye in the sky in the form of satellites is a major advantage for militaries, which possess such capability. Besides the operational strategic domain involving close surveillance, there is navigation for aircraft, surface vehicles, vessels at sea and personnel on foot. Pinpoint targeting of long-range missiles is possible because of these. With the development of armed drones, the US operators have been located in Florida, US, and homing the drones to their targets in Afghanistan with the help of satellite surveillance and navigation. Surveillance from space has distinct advantage, in that it is like a permanent drone in the sky and covering an area well beyond imagination. It makes the verifiability of agreement on limitation of troops, or early warning signals of troop movement much more credible. India’s massive mobilisation before it can go to war with either adversary is vulnerable due to satellite pick up. In today’s world the Internet and many other networks are dependent for their area coverage on satellites. Modern wars without network centricity are almost unthinkable. Similarly, war without the cyber domain activated for offensive or defensive tasks cannot be imagined today. Satellites provide the capacity for wide area coverage and can assist with both offensive and defensive exploitation of the cyber domain. Since so much now depends on satellites, making your adversary’s eyes, ears and nodes in the sky vulnerable to incapacitation through a physical attack (by kinetic contact) or other means was an obvious measure that militaries would pursue. When a satellite or satellites are taken out or rendered unusable, the resultant effect is most felt on the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capability of a nation or force. It helps in the efforts to remain ahead in the information and decision cycle. There are networks for command and control, control of artillery, logistics and communications, without which military operations are rendered almost ineffective. The US has been pursuing a programme focused on this from as early as 1959. The first test missed a satellite by a couple of kilometres but in 1962 and 1963 successful tests were conducted with ballistic missiles going up to a vertical height of 400 miles. It was the time of President Ronald Reagan that research took a different turn with the ‘Star Wars’ programme which was designed to destroy all incoming projectiles or unfriendly equipment in space through kinetic of directed energy means. China commenced testing in 2007 but its very first test left a tremendous amount of space debris from the destruction of a low orbit older satellite. Debris in space resulting from the use of ASAT weapons, even for testing purposes, is a major challenge as even small particles can ram against functional satellites and damage them. It is reported by the UN Outer Space Affairs Department that only 1400 of the 19000 artificial objects being currently tracked in space are functional satellites, the rest mostly being debris. A set of UN guidelines on space debris have been formulated. India’s ASAT test was in a very low earth orbit thus mitigating the danger emerging from the resultant debris after the test. So why has India undertaken the ASAT test? Firstly, much like nuclear weapons, ASAT could remain a strategic weapon for only deterrence and not be involved in actual war fighting although its direct life-threatening capability is lower by volumes. It is important to demonstrate the capability for deterrence especially since China has been developing its capability for fairly long. Secondly, it is always possible that a Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) kind of international agreement may force a moratorium on development and testing of ASAT in the future. That would leave India in the lurch and future testing against the treaty would draw sanctions and international ire. A physical test with data all canned gives a boost to strategic capability. While the MEA may have made the right move by discounting any objective or country being focused upon by India’s ASAT programme, it is important that the successful test has been done at a time when the subcontinent has just emerged from its latest crisis involving a near showdown between India and Pakistan. Pakistan is known for its copy cat approach and it could just be tempted to acquire such a capability of its own; of course with the assistance of its all-weather friend, China. Affordability is not something Pakistan usually looks at despite its almost paralysed economy. There are fast emerging technologies in this field and we have to hear more about India’s progress in the anti-ballistic missile (ABM) domain for a future ‘iron dome’ concept. The US and Russia have the capabilities of launching an ASAT from the ship, land and space, while India, presently, has used a land installation. No doubt progress towards that will also be made as ISRO has demonstrated. (This article was originally published on The DNA. Read the original article) (Disclaimer: The opinions expressed above are the personal views of the author and do not reflect the views of ZMCL.)

Having an eye in sky in form of satellites is a major advantage for militaries

The US is tracking 250-270 objects of debris in the space generated due to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/us-didnt-spy-on-indias-asat-test-pentagon-206628">India's anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test</a> in lower earth orbit, but the International Space Station or ISS is not at risk, the Pentagon said Friday.&nbsp;

US Strategic Command's Joint Force Space Component Command (JFSCC) said 250 pieces of debris associated with an Indian ASAT launch that occurred on Wednesday are being actively tracked.&nbsp;

"Debris from the event is being actively monitored by the JFSCC, and conjunction notifications are being issued to satellite owners/operators in accordance with standard notification processes through the Department of Defense's public space situational awareness sharing website HYPERLINK "http://www.Space-track.Org," it said.

The JFSCC said it will continue to actively track debris associated with the event and issue close approach notifications as required until the debris enters the earth's atmosphere.

US Air Force Space Command Commander Lt Gen David D Thompson told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing on Thursday that the JFSCC and Air Force's 18 space control Squadron are currently "tracking about 270 different objects in the debris" field.&nbsp;

Responding to questions from members of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, he said the number is going to grow as the debris field spreads out as the US collects more sensor information.

Thompson, however, refrained from giving any further details of the debris.

"But we do know the altitude at which it occurred. We immediately started providing public notice on our space track website and will provide direct notification to satellite operators, if those satellites are under threat," he said.

Responding to questions from lawmakers, Thompson said, "At this point in time, the International Space Station is not at risk."&nbsp;

The ISS orbits over 100 km higher than the orbit at which India carried out the ASAT test.&nbsp;

"That's another thing that we do and provide warning routinely. That's just an example of -no other nation --no other military force, no other civil or other body could have detected characterised and begun warning and providing the world, the way we do with air force and other joint assets," Thompson said.

Astronomer Jonathan McDowell from the prestigious Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics said India acted in a less irresponsible manner than the Chinese in doing the test.&nbsp;

"We don't know yet how much debris and how high. The United States has said that it's tracking about 250 pieces. But it will take them at least a few days, if not a few weeks to figure to catalogue those pieces," he told PTI.

Once the cataloguing is done, only then one could analyses how bad the situation is, he added.

Responding to a question, McDowell, who has been following India's space program since the 1970s, described the ASAT test as a "much more aggressive stance" even though it is presented as a defensive measure.

This is reflective of the ambitious and military side of the Indian space programme and is in response to China's aggressive space militarisation programme, he said.

Opposed to such tests, McDowell said, the Indian ASAT test was "relatively responsible" or "less responsible" than the Chinese ASAT test.&nbsp;

"Although I'm opposed to the test, I think that if you're going to do a test, that's a better way to do it.

"There will be debris that ends up in higher orbit but not as much and not as long left. The test at the level will ensure that the debris doesn't stay up for long periods of time, in contrast to what happened with the Chinese test, which was much higher up," he said.&nbsp;

"So that is relatively responsible. Certainly, they (Indians) have learned from the mistakes of the Chinese," said the American astronomer.

He said the Chinese debris&nbsp;hundreds of pieces in worst possible orbit - are still in the space.

The Indian debris might vanish and burn up when they come down in the next few months, while that of the Chinese might take decades to come down, McDowell said.&nbsp;

Well known space professional, Brian Weeden said China is one reason for India's test.&nbsp;

"India sees itself in competition with China for regional power and prestige and has been internally debating its own demonstration ever since the Chinese ASAT test in 2007," he said.

"The other factor is India's concern about being one of the "have nots" for ASAT weapons like they were for nuclear weapons, in the event of a future ban on ASAT testing," Weeden said.&nbsp;

But more tests like this risk creating space debris that could impact commercial business models for space, plus many of these new space companies feel strongly about social responsibility, he added.

The US is tracking 250-270 objects of debris in the space generated due to India's anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test in lower earth orbit, but the International Space Station or ISS is not at risk, the Pentagon said Friday.

The US is tracking 250-270 objects of debris in the space generated due to India's anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test in lower earth orbit, but the International Space Station or ISS is not at risk, the Pentagon said Friday. US Strategic Command's Joint Force Space Component Command (JFSCC) said 250 pieces of debris associated with an Indian ASAT launch that occurred on Wednesday are being actively tracked. "Debris from the event is being actively monitored by the JFSCC, and conjunction notifications are being issued to satellite owners/operators in accordance with standard notification processes through the Department of Defense's public space situational awareness sharing website HYPERLINK "http://www.Space-track.Org," it said. The JFSCC said it will continue to actively track debris associated with the event and issue close approach notifications as required until the debris enters the earth's atmosphere. US Air Force Space Command Commander Lt Gen David D Thompson told lawmakers during a Congressional hearing on Thursday that the JFSCC and Air Force's 18 space control Squadron are currently "tracking about 270 different objects in the debris" field. Responding to questions from members of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, he said the number is going to grow as the debris field spreads out as the US collects more sensor information. Thompson, however, refrained from giving any further details of the debris. "But we do know the altitude at which it occurred. We immediately started providing public notice on our space track website and will provide direct notification to satellite operators, if those satellites are under threat," he said. Responding to questions from lawmakers, Thompson said, "At this point in time, the International Space Station is not at risk." The ISS orbits over 100 km higher than the orbit at which India carried out the ASAT test. "That's another thing that we do and provide warning routinely. That's just an example of -no other nation --no other military force, no other civil or other body could have detected characterised and begun warning and providing the world, the way we do with air force and other joint assets," Thompson said. Astronomer Jonathan McDowell from the prestigious Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics said India acted in a less irresponsible manner than the Chinese in doing the test. "We don't know yet how much debris and how high. The United States has said that it's tracking about 250 pieces. But it will take them at least a few days, if not a few weeks to figure to catalogue those pieces," he told PTI. Once the cataloguing is done, only then one could analyses how bad the situation is, he added. Responding to a question, McDowell, who has been following India's space program since the 1970s, described the ASAT test as a "much more aggressive stance" even though it is presented as a defensive measure. This is reflective of the ambitious and military side of the Indian space programme and is in response to China's aggressive space militarisation programme, he said. Opposed to such tests, McDowell said, the Indian ASAT test was "relatively responsible" or "less responsible" than the Chinese ASAT test. "Although I'm opposed to the test, I think that if you're going to do a test, that's a better way to do it. "There will be debris that ends up in higher orbit but not as much and not as long left. The test at the level will ensure that the debris doesn't stay up for long periods of time, in contrast to what happened with the Chinese test, which was much higher up," he said. "So that is relatively responsible. Certainly, they (Indians) have learned from the mistakes of the Chinese," said the American astronomer. He said the Chinese debris hundreds of pieces in worst possible orbit - are still in the space. The Indian debris might vanish and burn up when they come down in the next few months, while that of the Chinese might take decades to come down, McDowell said. Well known space professional, Brian Weeden said China is one reason for India's test. "India sees itself in competition with China for regional power and prestige and has been internally debating its own demonstration ever since the Chinese ASAT test in 2007," he said. "The other factor is India's concern about being one of the "have nots" for ASAT weapons like they were for nuclear weapons, in the event of a future ban on ASAT testing," Weeden said. But more tests like this risk creating space debris that could impact commercial business models for space, plus many of these new space companies feel strongly about social responsibility, he added.

US tracking 250-270 objects from Indian ASAT test debris: Pentagon

The Pentagon has strongly denied the reports that the US spied on <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/asat-test-russia-welcomes-new-delhis-efforts-to-prevent-arms-race-in-outer-space-206424">India's anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test</a> by sending a reconnaissance aircraft from its base in Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean to monitor the development.

It, however, said the United States was aware of India's first test-fire of an anti-satellite missile.

"No US assets were spying on India. In fact, the US continues to expand its enduring partnership with India, resulting in enhanced interoperability and stronger economic ties," US Defense Department spokesperson Lt Col David W Eastburn told PTI.

Aircraft Spots, which monitors military air movements, had said that a US Air Force's reconnaissance aircraft from its base in Diego Garcia went "for a mission in the Bay of Bengal to monitor India's anti-satellite missile test".

This was interpreted by many that the US spied on Indian ASAT test.

"I don't think that it implies coordination between India and the US," astronomer Jonathan McDowell from the prestigious Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics told PTI on the Aircraft Spots report.

"This implies that the US intelligence community were aware of the test in advance because to some extent they're spying on India," he alleged.

"Everybody spies on their friends as well as their enemies. That's the way the world works these days. It would be surprising if the US were not detecting or observing the launch site and aware of activities preparing for the test. So one assumes that they knew it was coming," he claimed.

McDowell, who is a staff member at the Chandra X-ray Center and author and editor of Jonathan's Space Report, an e-mail-distributed newsletter documenting satellite launches, said he has not looked into the issue of the aircraft, but it is certainly not surprising that the US would fly a sensor aircraft to try and observe the test.

The Pentagon, however, strongly denied the spying allegation.

"It's a relationship so strong that no topic is off limits," Eastburn said.

"Both nations enjoy shared principles regarding our respect of sovereignty, free and fair trade, adherence to international norms, and peaceful resolution of disputes," he said.

Air Force Space Command Commander Lt Gen David D Thompson told lawmakers Thursday that the US was aware that India's ASAT test was coming.

"First of all, we knew it was coming because of flight bans that India had announced and information they published previously. The launch occurred at 1.39 AM EST," he told members of the powerful Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces during a Congressional hearing.

"First of all, it was detected, characterised and reported by Air Force Missile Warning systems and Airmen at Buckley AFB. Immediately after the test (it struck the target vehicle), the Joint Space Ops Center and USAF 18 Space control Squadron began collecting information about the breakup of the vehicle," Thompson said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Wednesday announced that India successfully test-fired an anti-satellite missile by shooting down a live satellite, describing it as a rare achievement that puts the country in an exclusive club of space super powers.

The test made India the fourth country in the world after the US, Russia and China to acquire the strategic capability to shoot down enemy satellites.

The Pentagon has strongly denied the reports that the US spied on India's anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test by sending a reconnaissance aircraft from its base in Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean to monitor the development.

The Pentagon has strongly denied the reports that the US spied on India's anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test by sending a reconnaissance aircraft from its base in Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean to monitor the development. It, however, said the United States was aware of India's first test-fire of an anti-satellite missile. "No US assets were spying on India. In fact, the US continues to expand its enduring partnership with India, resulting in enhanced interoperability and stronger economic ties," US Defense Department spokesperson Lt Col David W Eastburn told PTI. Aircraft Spots, which monitors military air movements, had said that a US Air Force's reconnaissance aircraft from its base in Diego Garcia went "for a mission in the Bay of Bengal to monitor India's anti-satellite missile test". This was interpreted by many that the US spied on Indian ASAT test. "I don't think that it implies coordination between India and the US," astronomer Jonathan McDowell from the prestigious Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics told PTI on the Aircraft Spots report. "This implies that the US intelligence community were aware of the test in advance because to some extent they're spying on India," he alleged. "Everybody spies on their friends as well as their enemies. That's the way the world works these days. It would be surprising if the US were not detecting or observing the launch site and aware of activities preparing for the test. So one assumes that they knew it was coming," he claimed. McDowell, who is a staff member at the Chandra X-ray Center and author and editor of Jonathan's Space Report, an e-mail-distributed newsletter documenting satellite launches, said he has not looked into the issue of the aircraft, but it is certainly not surprising that the US would fly a sensor aircraft to try and observe the test. The Pentagon, however, strongly denied the spying allegation. "It's a relationship so strong that no topic is off limits," Eastburn said. "Both nations enjoy shared principles regarding our respect of sovereignty, free and fair trade, adherence to international norms, and peaceful resolution of disputes," he said. Air Force Space Command Commander Lt Gen David D Thompson told lawmakers Thursday that the US was aware that India's ASAT test was coming. "First of all, we knew it was coming because of flight bans that India had announced and information they published previously. The launch occurred at 1.39 AM EST," he told members of the powerful Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces during a Congressional hearing. "First of all, it was detected, characterised and reported by Air Force Missile Warning systems and Airmen at Buckley AFB. Immediately after the test (it struck the target vehicle), the Joint Space Ops Center and USAF 18 Space control Squadron began collecting information about the breakup of the vehicle," Thompson said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had on Wednesday announced that India successfully test-fired an anti-satellite missile by shooting down a live satellite, describing it as a rare achievement that puts the country in an exclusive club of space super powers. The test made India the fourth country in the world after the US, Russia and China to acquire the strategic capability to shoot down enemy satellites.

US didn't spy on India's ASAT test: Pentagon

Russia on Friday slammed Washington for leading the arms race even as it justified India's ASAT missile project saying ''India's test is in self-defence''.&nbsp;

''We noted the test of anti-satellite weapons conducted by India on March 27 and we have to state that this action of India has been largely the result of the substantially degraded situation in the field of arms control,'' Russia said in a statement.&nbsp;

Russia has repeatedly warned that the destructive actions of the United States to undermine the entire architecture of international security and strategic stability, including unilateral and unlimited development of the US global anti-missile defence systems, as well as the reluctance to abandon plans for the weaponization of outer space, the statement added.&nbsp;

''We urge Washington to take a responsible stand, come to senses and drop the insane, and most importantly - absolutely unrealizable - the idea of universal military domination. It is still possible to stop the arms race unfolding in various regions of the world,'' the statement further said.&nbsp;

Russia, for its part, intends to continue to make every necessary effort to prevent an arms race in outer space.&nbsp;

Russia on Friday slammed Washington for leading the arms race even as it justified India's ASAT missile project saying ''India's test is in self-defence''. ''We noted the test of anti-satellite weapons conducted by India on March 27 and we have to state that this action of India has been largely the result of the substantially degraded situation in the field of arms control,'' Russia said in a statement.

Russia on Friday slammed Washington for leading the arms race even as it justified India's ASAT missile project saying ''India's test is in self-defence''. ''We noted the test of anti-satellite weapons conducted by India on March 27 and we have to state that this action of India has been largely the result of the substantially degraded situation in the field of arms control,'' Russia said in a statement. Russia has repeatedly warned that the destructive actions of the United States to undermine the entire architecture of international security and strategic stability, including unilateral and unlimited development of the US global anti-missile defence systems, as well as the reluctance to abandon plans for the weaponization of outer space, the statement added. ''We urge Washington to take a responsible stand, come to senses and drop the insane, and most importantly - absolutely unrealizable - the idea of universal military domination. It is still possible to stop the arms race unfolding in various regions of the world,'' the statement further said. Russia, for its part, intends to continue to make every necessary effort to prevent an arms race in outer space.

Russia blames US for leading arms race, says India's ASAT test in 'self-defence' 

Reacting to India's mission Shakti or Anti-Satellite Missile Test, Russia on Friday said that it welcomed New Delhi's "reassurance" on making the outer space free from arms race.&nbsp;

In a statement, Russian foreign ministry highlighted the "non-directedness of this test against any specific country declared by the Indian leadership" as well as the "reassurance of the continuity of New Delhi foreign policy to prevent the deployment of weapons in outer space and thereby the development of an arms race in it."

It has been a long-standing policy of the Indian government not to weaponise the Outer Space and that space must be used only for peaceful purposes.

Russia is the fourth country to make a public statement on India's ASAT test after Pakistan, China and the US. The statement by the US was positive while China's was rather guarded. Pakistan, on expected lines, criticised the New Delhi's move.

But Russia did state that action by New Delhi was "largely the result of the substantially degraded situation in the field of arms control" for which Moscow blamed Washington.&nbsp;

The statement said, actions by US such as "unilateral and unlimited development" of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mission-shakti-us-state-department-says-space-debris-an-imporant-concern-206157">US global anti-missile</a> defence systems and continuing with its policy of "weaponisation of outer space" is making other countries to take actions "in the interests of strengthening their national security."

US President Donald Trump has proposed a space force in March of 2018 which will be the 6th branch of US armed forces. It will be separate but equal to the US Air Force.

Moscow also suggested its "Indian partners" to "actively join" efforts of the international community to present an arms race in outer space. Russia and China have come up with a draft treaty to prevent the weaponization of outer space.

Reacting to India's mission Shakti or Anti-Satellite Missile Test, Russia on Friday said that it welcomed New Delhi's "reassurance" on making the outer space free from arms race.

Reacting to India's mission Shakti or Anti-Satellite Missile Test, Russia on Friday said that it welcomed New Delhi's "reassurance" on making the outer space free from arms race. In a statement, Russian foreign ministry highlighted the "non-directedness of this test against any specific country declared by the Indian leadership" as well as the "reassurance of the continuity of New Delhi foreign policy to prevent the deployment of weapons in outer space and thereby the development of an arms race in it." It has been a long-standing policy of the Indian government not to weaponise the Outer Space and that space must be used only for peaceful purposes. Russia is the fourth country to make a public statement on India's ASAT test after Pakistan, China and the US. The statement by the US was positive while China's was rather guarded. Pakistan, on expected lines, criticised the New Delhi's move. But Russia did state that action by New Delhi was "largely the result of the substantially degraded situation in the field of arms control" for which Moscow blamed Washington. The statement said, actions by US such as "unilateral and unlimited development" of the US global anti-missile defence systems and continuing with its policy of "weaponisation of outer space" is making other countries to take actions "in the interests of strengthening their national security." US President Donald Trump has proposed a space force in March of 2018 which will be the 6th branch of US armed forces. It will be separate but equal to the US Air Force. Moscow also suggested its "Indian partners" to "actively join" efforts of the international community to present an arms race in outer space. Russia and China have come up with a draft treaty to prevent the weaponization of outer space.

ASAT: Russia welcomes New Delhi's efforts to prevent arms race in outer space 

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