ASAT - Anti-Satellite Missile Test
As all T-BHP readers know by now India has become the fourth nation, after USA, China and Russia, to attain the capability to intercept a satellite in orbit after its successful Anti-Satellite (ASAT) missile test on 27th March 2019. What makes this accomplishment noteworthy is that it has been developed indigenously. This sort of thing no body but no body wants to help you with. You have to go it alone.
Why is the ASAT missile test or Mission Shakti important for India?
This step is important first because it is rare strategic asset for us and also, unlike Pokhran I and II it has happened before any international agreement has been forged. After Pokhran II ASAT is the most important geo-political strategic positioning event by India. Because it is not a nuclear device most people have not grasped its relevance.
With this test India has pre-empted a possible treaty on space weaponization, much like the nuclear non-proliferation treaty (NPT), which would have stopped India from demonstrating its ASAT ability in the future and giving the United States, China, and Russia sole ASAT-weapons-state status.
When the Pokhran-II nuclear tests were carried out, in 1998, India faced intense criticism since the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) of 1968 was already in place which created two groups of countries where nuclear weapons are concerned – the 5 powers who got in before 1968 {USA, USSR, UK, France, China} had special rights versus all others. The ‘all others’ effectively signed up to eschew the ownership of nuclear weapons forever in return for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. This part has been vigorously implemented. Another tenet of the NPT ie gradual nuclear disarmament has been completely ignored by the 5 original powers. These strategic treaties are designed for the 'haves'. India did not sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
So, the timing is just right because if any document is drawn on outer space now, it would have to recognize countries that already have the capability.
Based on what I have read in 1964 Homi Bhabha had suggested to the Govt of India that we detonate an experimental A-bomb like the Chinese had done that year. He felt we could pull together enough uranium for a small experimental device and announce our arrival. The Govt (I do not recall if it was Nehru or Shastri) turned down the request – we had just lost to the Chinese in 1962, we were dealing with famines and our economy was under a lot of pressure and hence we feared getting kicked in the teeth. At that time we also did not understand real politik and had woolly ideas of preaching to others. It took another 10 years and Indira Gandhi for us to show we mean business.
How would ASAT be used in war?
ASAT is essentially a guided rocket that can destroy or jam an enemy country's satellite in space.
During the time of war, ASATs can be used to destroy or jam communication, reconnaissance or other military satellites of enemy countries and stop them from communicating with their soldiers & ships. It can also be used to access critical information about troop movements or incoming missiles. Since most of the communication networks and reconnaissance needs are satellite-based, this can have a disastrous impact on the country whose satellite gets targeted. This also sends a message to China and Pakistan who unfortunately only appreciate a message of the big stick. US first tested the ASAT technology in 1958, followed by USSR in 1964 and China in 2007. None have used it in a conflict yet.
How does ASAT work.
The method we used was to navigate the intercepting rocket to the target satellite and crash into it. Here the rocket is used like a cannon shell. China and India, as far as is known, have only used this method so far. USA and Russia can also use a beam of laser energy to blind a satellite – this requires significant onboard power generation capability in the interceptor. A third method is an explosion in proximity of the target with thousands of pellets flying out at supersonic speeds some or more of which will hit the target satellite.
Navigating in space poses complications much beyond navigating on earth. First is that you are operating in 3 dimensions as is your target and second there is no natural fixed reference point. Any reference point of earth is also zooming away or towards you at ~1600 kmph. Further a satellite is like a grain of dust in the vastness of space and your guided rocket must find it - and not mistakenly bump off somebody else's satellite. This is where the trick is.
USA and Russia have ASAT missiles that can be launched from ships, aircrafts or land based launchers. ASAT devices as of now are focused on low earth orbit satellites which typically are the military sharp reconnaissance ones. Satellites beyond a 20,000 kms orbit are normally out of range.
What India has demonstrated are the first steps. Our capability is no where near that of USA or Russia nor does it need to be. It is a weapon of deterrence. With a weapon of deterrence a little bit of deterrence is a whole lot better than nothing; while a lot is not much better than a little.
Jai Hind.
Photo Source - Press Information Bureau, GoI