Could 3I/ATLAS spark the first space war? This strange visitor is stirring fears and raising questions about the future of space security. What might unfold beyond Earth’s skies could change everything - are we prepared for what’s coming?

Can object like 3I/ATLAS spark a space war in future?

Tensions between Russia and the United States are spilling over into the realm of space. WION's report explains how a Russian spacecraft tailed an American spy satellite in low earth orbit has ignited concerns over the militarisation of space.

US' new big claim against Russia, says 'Russia launched space weapons'

The chief of US space agency NASA has told lawmakers in Washington that China is using civilian programmes to hide military objectives in space. Watch to know more.

US vs China: Lunar race heats up

The US has accomplished another milestone in space exploration. This time a top SpaceX Falcon heavy US military's secretive X 37b Robot space plane blasted off from Florida. More in our report.

US launches secretive X-37B robot space plane

China is taking Modern Warfare to the next level even beyond the Earth as in space combat. Chinese scientists have unveiled a space War gaming system for military operations and training even though the Chinese government's official stance is opposed to Space Warfare.

China gets its forces space combat-ready

Chinese scientists unveil space war gaming system

For the first time in reported human history, a missile was shot down outside the Earth's atmosphere, throwing the debris effectively away from conventional gravitational pull of our planet, currently gripped by dozens of conflicts and two major wars;&nbsp;between Israel and Hamas, and Russia and Ukraine.&nbsp;

The significant as well as unprecedented development occurred last month after a Houthi missile heading towards southern Israel's Eilat was show down by the Arrow 3 system, jointly developed by Israel and the United States, the Times newspaper reported.&nbsp;

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) had confirmed the first interception by Arrow 3 system on Nov 1 when it said that the missile was used to "thwart an aerial threat in the area of the Red Sea."

<h2>What does it mean?</h2>

The development has broken through the ceiling of cosmic warfare for the first time. It was reportedly the inaugural use of Israel's Arrow 3 air defence system which destroyed a "ballistic missile" — that&nbsp;are rocket-powered only in the initial (boost) phase of flight and thus are more advanced&nbsp;— allegedly fired from Yemen.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-shows-its-airprowess-uses-arrow-3-missile-killer-for-first-time-to-intercept-houthi-rockets-654011">Israel shows its air prowess, uses Arrow 3 ‘missile-killer’ for first time to intercept Houthi rockets</a>

In the wake of Israel's consequential intelligence failure to prevent the unprecedented wave of attacks by Palestinian group Hamas on October 7, the breakthrough is deemed militarily significant.&nbsp;

Add this to the fact that the missile attacks by Hamas into Israel have aimed at tiring country's Iron-dome missile system out, the development is set to boost Israel's credentials to defend itself in a hostile neighbourhood.&nbsp;

<h2>Israel-Hamas war: How the conflict has spread in the wider region?</h2>

Immediately after Israel launched a retaliatory state of war following October 7 attacks, Iran-aligned militias — specifically Lebanon-based Hezbollah and Yemen-based Houthis — too launched attacks on Israel.

They&nbsp;cited Israel's unprecedented wave of attacks purportedly aimed at "decimating Hamas", which have so far killed over 15,000 Palestinians in the densely populated and blockaded Palestinian enclave Gaza Strip.&nbsp;

Also watch |&nbsp;Germany to buy Israeli missile defense system for $4.3 billion

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Notably, these militias have better military capabilities than Hamas given their recent history of leading interventions in the Yemeni civil war.&nbsp;

Against the conventional Hamas 'missiles' — described as 'homemade' — and are nothing more than explosive-based reconstructed plumbing pipes, Hezbollah and Houthis possess more sophisticated conventional weapons.&nbsp;

<h2>What is the bottom-line?</h2>

The successful demonstration of Israel's Arrow 3 air defence system has demonstrated its capability by intercepting the Houthi missiles, and has now bettered its effectiveness in countering threats in the region.

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

For the first time in reported human history, a missile was shot down outside the Earth's atmosphere, throwing the debris effectively away from conventional gravitational pull of our planet, currently gripped by dozens of conflicts and two major wars; between Israel and Hamas, and Russia and Ukraine.

For the first time in reported human history, a missile was shot down outside the Earth's atmosphere, throwing the debris effectively away from conventional gravitational pull of our planet, currently gripped by dozens of conflicts and two major wars; between Israel and Hamas, and Russia and Ukraine. The significant as well as unprecedented development occurred last month after a Houthi missile heading towards southern Israel's Eilat was show down by the Arrow 3 system, jointly developed by Israel and the United States, the Times newspaper reported. The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) had confirmed the first interception by Arrow 3 system on Nov 1 when it said that the missile was used to "thwart an aerial threat in the area of the Red Sea." What does it mean? The development has broken through the ceiling of cosmic warfare for the first time. It was reportedly the inaugural use of Israel's Arrow 3 air defence system which destroyed a "ballistic missile" — that are rocket-powered only in the initial (boost) phase of flight and thus are more advanced — allegedly fired from Yemen. Also read | Israel shows its air prowess, uses Arrow 3 ‘missile-killer’ for first time to intercept Houthi rockets In the wake of Israel's consequential intelligence failure to prevent the unprecedented wave of attacks by Palestinian group Hamas on October 7, the breakthrough is deemed militarily significant. Add this to the fact that the missile attacks by Hamas into Israel have aimed at tiring country's Iron-dome missile system out, the development is set to boost Israel's credentials to defend itself in a hostile neighbourhood. Israel-Hamas war: How the conflict has spread in the wider region? Immediately after Israel launched a retaliatory state of war following October 7 attacks, Iran-aligned militias — specifically Lebanon-based Hezbollah and Yemen-based Houthis — too launched attacks on Israel. They cited Israel's unprecedented wave of attacks purportedly aimed at "decimating Hamas", which have so far killed over 15,000 Palestinians in the densely populated and blockaded Palestinian enclave Gaza Strip. Also watch | Germany to buy Israeli missile defense system for $4.3 billion × Notably, these militias have better military capabilities than Hamas given their recent history of leading interventions in the Yemeni civil war. Against the conventional Hamas 'missiles' — described as 'homemade' — and are nothing more than explosive-based reconstructed plumbing pipes, Hezbollah and Houthis possess more sophisticated conventional weapons. What is the bottom-line? The successful demonstration of Israel's Arrow 3 air defence system has demonstrated its capability by intercepting the Houthi missiles, and has now bettered its effectiveness in countering threats in the region. Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

Humanity's 'first' space war occurred during thick of Israel-Hamas conflict. Here's how

China has launched 41 low earth orbit satellites into space. What are low earth orbit satellites? Is China using them for espionage? Mohammad Saleh reports.

Gravitas: China's spy satellites spook US Military

How China's ASAT technology can derail America's space power

US President Donald Trump on Friday created the newest military service&nbsp;since the US Air Force came into being in 1947 by signing the National Defense Authorization Act into law.

Eyeing combat in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nato-says-death-greatly-exaggerated-to-adopt-new-strategies-on-space-china-263436">outer space</a>, the US Air Force Space Command has created this designated '<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-establishes-us-space-command-in-counter-to-china-russia-threats-246507">the United States Space Force</a>', a step that Trump administration officials are touting as a historic step.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/how-chinas-plans-to-disrupt-gps-through-asat-in-2020-beyond-206321">In pics: How China plans to disrupt GPS through ASAT in 2020 &amp; beyond</a>

This new force will be a coequal service of the five existing forces of the United States — the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard.

Capping an ambitious order Trump issued in June 2018, the US Space Force officially came into being when Trump signed the annual military budget, the $738 billion National Defense Authorization Act.&nbsp;

"Our reliance on space-based capabilities has grown dramatically, and today outer space has evolved into a war-fighting domain of its own," said Secretary of Defense Mark Esper.&nbsp;

"Maintaining American dominance in that domain is now the mission of the United States Space Force."

The new organization builds on the US Space Command, already operating under the Air Force since it was created in August.

And, like the Marines, which operate within the umbrella of the Navy, the Space Force will be under the Air Force.

The Space Command will focus on warfighting — akin to the Pentagon's regional commands like CentCom — while the Space Force will encompass broader missions like training, procurement, long-term planning and other functions.

The Space Force will be comprised of about 16,000 Air Force and civilian personnel, some already taking part in the Space Command, according to Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett.

It will have its uniform, shoulder patches and even, eventually, its song, just like the other branches.

"The US Space Force will protect America's national interests by its singular focus on space. The United States has the best space acumen in the world," Barrett said.

A staff of 16,000 would make it much smaller than the other forces, but Barrett said the technology-centric nature of the work requires fewer people.

"It's a different sort of portfolio than what we might be thinking of when we generally think about warfighting machines," she said.

Leading the Space Force will be Air Force General Jay Raymond, who currently runs SpaceCom.

"With the establishment of the United States Space Force, we're elevating space commensurate with its importance to our national security and the security of our allies and our partners," said Raymond.

(With inputs from AFP)

US President Donald Trump on Friday created the newest military service since the US Air Force came into being in 1947 by signing the National Defense Authorization Act into law.

US President Donald Trump on Friday created the newest military service since the US Air Force came into being in 1947 by signing the National Defense Authorization Act into law. Eyeing combat in outer space, the US Air Force Space Command has created this designated 'the United States Space Force', a step that Trump administration officials are touting as a historic step. In pics: How China plans to disrupt GPS through ASAT in 2020 & beyond This new force will be a coequal service of the five existing forces of the United States — the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. Capping an ambitious order Trump issued in June 2018, the US Space Force officially came into being when Trump signed the annual military budget, the $738 billion National Defense Authorization Act. "Our reliance on space-based capabilities has grown dramatically, and today outer space has evolved into a war-fighting domain of its own," said Secretary of Defense Mark Esper. "Maintaining American dominance in that domain is now the mission of the United States Space Force." The new organization builds on the US Space Command, already operating under the Air Force since it was created in August. And, like the Marines, which operate within the umbrella of the Navy, the Space Force will be under the Air Force. The Space Command will focus on warfighting — akin to the Pentagon's regional commands like CentCom — while the Space Force will encompass broader missions like training, procurement, long-term planning and other functions. The Space Force will be comprised of about 16,000 Air Force and civilian personnel, some already taking part in the Space Command, according to Air Force Secretary Barbara Barrett. It will have its uniform, shoulder patches and even, eventually, its song, just like the other branches. "The US Space Force will protect America's national interests by its singular focus on space. The United States has the best space acumen in the world," Barrett said. A staff of 16,000 would make it much smaller than the other forces, but Barrett said the technology-centric nature of the work requires fewer people. "It's a different sort of portfolio than what we might be thinking of when we generally think about warfighting machines," she said. Leading the Space Force will be Air Force General Jay Raymond, who currently runs SpaceCom. "With the establishment of the United States Space Force, we're elevating space commensurate with its importance to our national security and the security of our allies and our partners," said Raymond. (With inputs from AFP)

United States Space Force: Donald Trump creates new warfare service branch of Pentagon

The anti-satellite missile capability demonstrated by India on Wednesday will be a deterrent in the event of a war where space may be the theatre of action with countries seeking to down enemy satellites, experts explained.

"The message goes strong and loud that if any of our satellites is harmed, we possess the capability of destroying yours (the adversary)," said Ajay Lele, a senior fellow with the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA).

The former Air Force officer and other experts said India has possessed the anti-missile technology for several years but needed the political go-ahead to actually test it in live conditions. They said the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) received the green signal to prepare for the test two years ago, which came to fruition on Wednesday.

In 2012, India conducted simulated tests, establishing the capability but the then Manmohan Singh-led UPA government had not given permission for a live test, likely over concerns that a destroyed satellite would result in debris that would damage satellites of other countries.

Daniel Porras, Space Security Fellow, United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), Geneva, said Wednesday's test destroyed a satellite at an altitude of 300 km.

"It was not a good sign for LEO (low earth orbit)... Which has telecommunication and earth observation satellites and also the International Space Station", which cruises at a height of 400 km, he said.

"The test was done at 300 km, so pretty low, meaning most of the debris will slowly come down. However, lots of objects near that altitude... Not a good sign for all those LEO constellations. Also, if any debris damages other objects, India will be liable under the Liability Convention (if attribution is established)," Porras tweeted.

Former ISRO chairperson G Madhavan Nair, who was also secretary, Department of Space, from 2003 to 2009, said the DRDO had anti-missile technology, including the algorithms required for setting the trajectory to hit the moving target.

"Marrying the two technologies (of ISRO and DRDO) was required which happened over the last few years," Nair told PTI.

He said it would have taken about two years for scientists to perfect the missile launch once the go-ahead for the test was given by the government.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced that the test, named Mission Shakti, was not directed against any country and the disused Indian owned satellite was a pre-determined target.

In an address to the nation, Modi also said India has not breached any international law or treaty.

India is only the fourth country to acquire such a specialised and modern capability after the US, Russia and China. There has been no instance of a space war but the countries have demonstrated their capabilities by testing on their own satellites as India did on Wednesday.

The UNIDIR defines ASAT (Anti-Satellite) as "any capabilities aimed at destroying or disabling space assets for any reason, whether military or civilian, offensive or defensive".

Lele of IDSA said India had already developed Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM) technology and along with it came the know-how behind ASAT.

"Testing the Anti-Satellite missile at LEO at 300 kilometres was only to demonstrate capacity. This is also a deterrence mechanism in the event of space war, similar to what India has developed in the nuclear domain," he said.

Lele added that a political decision was required as conducting anti-satellite missiles tests could attract international criticism over issues of adding to debris in space and accusations of militarising space.

In an era where defence forces rely on satellites for different aspects of security, including intelligence gathering, having ASAT missile capability sends a strong signal to adversaries, he said.

Rajeshwari Pillai Rajagopalan, senior fellow and head of the Nuclear and Space Initiative, Observer Researcher Foundation (ORF), said Wednesday's development reflects India's desire to not make the mistake it did in 1974 when it conducted its first nuclear test in Pokhran.

The tests were conducted four years after the Nuclear Proliferation Test (NPT) Treaty came into force in 1970. There is no similar international treaty for space.

"The successful test also acts as a deterrent in event of a space war. The technology was available, so it was high time India tested it. Political will was also needed behind taking the decision," Rajagopalan said, referring to the possibility of an international backlash.

In 2007, China destroyed its FengYun 1C weather satellite with an SC-19 missile, leaving behind space debris consisting of 3,280 pieces of trackable debris, as well as up to 32,000 pieces that are non-trackable.

The following year, during Operation Burnt Frost, the US destroyed its own satellite, USA-193, with an SM-3 interceptor creating 174 pieces of trackable debris, plus non-trackable shards.

Now, the spectre of space war has spilt over from the realm of Hollywood fiction into Indian reality.

The anti-satellite missile capability demonstrated by India on Wednesday will be a deterrent in the event of a war where space may be the theatre of action with countries seeking to down enemy satellites, experts explained.

The anti-satellite missile capability demonstrated by India on Wednesday will be a deterrent in the event of a war where space may be the theatre of action with countries seeking to down enemy satellites, experts explained. "The message goes strong and loud that if any of our satellites is harmed, we possess the capability of destroying yours (the adversary)," said Ajay Lele, a senior fellow with the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA). The former Air Force officer and other experts said India has possessed the anti-missile technology for several years but needed the political go-ahead to actually test it in live conditions. They said the Defence Research Development Organisation (DRDO) received the green signal to prepare for the test two years ago, which came to fruition on Wednesday. In 2012, India conducted simulated tests, establishing the capability but the then Manmohan Singh-led UPA government had not given permission for a live test, likely over concerns that a destroyed satellite would result in debris that would damage satellites of other countries. Daniel Porras, Space Security Fellow, United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR), Geneva, said Wednesday's test destroyed a satellite at an altitude of 300 km. "It was not a good sign for LEO (low earth orbit)... Which has telecommunication and earth observation satellites and also the International Space Station", which cruises at a height of 400 km, he said. "The test was done at 300 km, so pretty low, meaning most of the debris will slowly come down. However, lots of objects near that altitude... Not a good sign for all those LEO constellations. Also, if any debris damages other objects, India will be liable under the Liability Convention (if attribution is established)," Porras tweeted. Former ISRO chairperson G Madhavan Nair, who was also secretary, Department of Space, from 2003 to 2009, said the DRDO had anti-missile technology, including the algorithms required for setting the trajectory to hit the moving target. "Marrying the two technologies (of ISRO and DRDO) was required which happened over the last few years," Nair told PTI. He said it would have taken about two years for scientists to perfect the missile launch once the go-ahead for the test was given by the government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday announced that the test, named Mission Shakti, was not directed against any country and the disused Indian owned satellite was a pre-determined target. In an address to the nation, Modi also said India has not breached any international law or treaty. India is only the fourth country to acquire such a specialised and modern capability after the US, Russia and China. There has been no instance of a space war but the countries have demonstrated their capabilities by testing on their own satellites as India did on Wednesday. The UNIDIR defines ASAT (Anti-Satellite) as "any capabilities aimed at destroying or disabling space assets for any reason, whether military or civilian, offensive or defensive". Lele of IDSA said India had already developed Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles (ICBM) technology and along with it came the know-how behind ASAT. "Testing the Anti-Satellite missile at LEO at 300 kilometres was only to demonstrate capacity. This is also a deterrence mechanism in the event of space war, similar to what India has developed in the nuclear domain," he said. Lele added that a political decision was required as conducting anti-satellite missiles tests could attract international criticism over issues of adding to debris in space and accusations of militarising space. In an era where defence forces rely on satellites for different aspects of security, including intelligence gathering, having ASAT missile capability sends a strong signal to adversaries, he said. Rajeshwari Pillai Rajagopalan, senior fellow and head of the Nuclear and Space Initiative, Observer Researcher Foundation (ORF), said Wednesday's development reflects India's desire to not make the mistake it did in 1974 when it conducted its first nuclear test in Pokhran. The tests were conducted four years after the Nuclear Proliferation Test (NPT) Treaty came into force in 1970. There is no similar international treaty for space. "The successful test also acts as a deterrent in event of a space war. The technology was available, so it was high time India tested it. Political will was also needed behind taking the decision," Rajagopalan said, referring to the possibility of an international backlash. In 2007, China destroyed its FengYun 1C weather satellite with an SC-19 missile, leaving behind space debris consisting of 3,280 pieces of trackable debris, as well as up to 32,000 pieces that are non-trackable. The following year, during Operation Burnt Frost, the US destroyed its own satellite, USA-193, with an SM-3 interceptor creating 174 pieces of trackable debris, plus non-trackable shards. Now, the spectre of space war has spilt over from the realm of Hollywood fiction into Indian reality.

Anti-Satellite technology will be deterrent in event of space war: Experts 

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