Mission Shakti and India’s Space Security
Dr. Amar Singh
Shuraksha Chintan, July- December 2021 Vol 22, Issue 2,
Abstract
Space capabilities have become
central to many military operations, including missile warning, navigation,
target identification, and tracking of adversary activities. It is emerging as
the fourth arena of warfare. As critical infrastructures are based upon
satellites, any harm to them can pose grave threat to national security. With
mission Shakti India has become the fourth country after the US, Russia and
China to acquire the capability of space warfare. As Space
remains critical for global security and prosperity, the purpose
of this paper is to explore ‘mission
shakti’ and also look into challenges India faces strategically in space domain.
Keywords: Space, Space War, Security, Mission Shakti
Introduction:
Satellites assume a great importance
now-a day, because it is a part of critical civil and defence infrastructure of
any country. These include navigation systems, communication networks,
broadcasting, banking systems, stock markets, weather forecasting, disaster
management, land and ocean mapping and monitoring tools, and military
applications. Destroying a satellite would cripple enemy infrastructure without
causing any threat to human lives. ASAT (Anti –Satellite Test) weapons provide the capability to shoot down enemy
satellites in orbit. ASAT missiles
also act as a space deterrent in dissuading adversaries from targeting the
country’s satellite network.[1]
The launch of the first communications satellite in the
early 1960s can be characterised as the start of the military use of outer
space, but it gained greater traction in the last couple of decades.[2]
The revolution in military affairs (RMA) concept became popular after the first
Gulf War (1990), where satellites became the most important components of war
because of their crucial role in facilitating overall strategy that completely
altered the dynamics of the war. Satellites have completely changed the nature
of warfare, as space capabilities are now being integrated into traditional
warfare, as seen during the two US operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.[3]
China and Russia have also carefully aligned their own capabilities and
strategies accordingly. India can no longer afford to remain distant from these
developments.
Anti
-Satellite Technology
ASAT is missile-based system to
attack moving satellites. It’s an offensive counter space weapon. ASAT encompasses
a wide range of technologies that can be ground-based or space-based, kinetic
or non-kinetic, reversible or irreversible.[4]
Kinetic ASATs involve motion-based physical destruction, while non-kinetic
ASATs use other means of interference such as jamming, laser dazzling and cyber
interference.[5]
India tested its Direct Ascent –
ASAT (DA- ASATs), which use a ground, air, or sea - launched rocket to place a
Kinetic kill vehicle (KKV) on a ballistic trajectory up into space. After
separation from the rocket the KKV uses on-board guidance, navigation and
control system to identify and track a targeted space object and fine-tune its
trajectory to create a hypervelocity collision. DA- ASATs are very similar to
midcourse missile defence interceptor with the difference being the missile
defence targets are also on ballistic trajectory.[6]
Only four countries pusses this highly sophisticated technology and arguably it
is the actual testing of a technology that represents a salient transformation
in a country’s capabilities.[7]
Brief History of
Anti-Satellite Tests:
USA: The
ASAT project gathered momentum in US, when Soviet Union launched the first
satellite, Sputnik, in 1957. In 1962, Robert McNamara, the secretary of defense
under then US president John F. Kennedy, cleared the development of the ‘Nike-Zeus’
missile for the anti-satellite role. In 1985 US used an F-15 fighter to fire an
ASM-135 missile to destroy a satellite used for solar observation. [8] But later on this programme was cancelled; however
it did kick off shortly after the Chinese test in 2007, as it increased US
concerns about a Chinese attack on US satellites. In February 2008 under ‘Operation
Burnt Frost’, the US destroyed its own dysfunctional satellite in low-earth orbit,
USA-193, with the ballistic missile defence (BMD) interceptor, the Standard
Missile-3 (SM-3), fired from a Aegis-class destroyer deployed in the Pacific
Ocean[9],
which created 174 pieces of trackable debris, plus non-trackable shards. Further
building upon its space deterrent President Trump signed a defense spending
bill on December 20, 2019, that established the U.S. Space Force (in 2020) as
the sixth branch of the U.S. military.[10]
Russia:
Russia views its space program as a longstanding example of its leadership on
the international stage. Russia is a pioneer of space, dating back to its
launch of the first satellite, Sputnik-1. The Soviet Union conducted
its first test of an ASAT system in 1963. Unlike the US strategy of relying on
missiles, the Soviet Union adopted a 'co-orbital' method, which involved
launching a 'killer satellite', which would enter the same orbit as its target
and approach it for destruction. [11]
Russian military doctrine clearly articulate that Russia views space as a war
fighting domain and that achieving supremacy in space will be a decisive factor
in winning future conflicts. In 2015, Moscow created ‘the Aerospace Forces’ by
merging the former Air Force and Aerospace Defense Troops. This new force has
the mandate to conduct space launches and maintain the ballistic missile early
warning system, the satellite control network, and the space surveillance
network. Moscow views space as a key enabler of U.S. precision strike and
military force projection capabilities. Russia is therefore pursuing counter
space systems to neutralize or deny U.S. space-based services, both military
and commercial.[12]
China:
China has devoted significant economic and political resources to growing all
aspects of its space program, from improving military space applications to
developing human spaceflight and lunar exploration programs. China is second
only to the United States in the number of operational satellites—part of
President Xi Jinping’s “China Dream” to establish a powerful and prosperous
China. Taking this in to account China
undertook its first ever ASAT test in January 2007 by using the KS/SC-19
missile, which Western observers claimed was a reconfigured DF 21-C or DF-25[13]
missile to destroy a “Feng Yun IC” weather satellite in low earth orbit 865 km
away. However it caused more than 3,000 pieces of trackable and 32,000
untrackable pieces of debris, threatening other satellites and the
international space station in LEO. The
PLA views space superiority, the ability to control the information sphere,
and denying adversaries the same as key components of conducting modern
“informatized” wars. As part of the military reforms announced in 2015, China
established the Strategic Support Force (SSF) to integrate cyberspace, space,
and EW capabilities into joint military operations.[14]
India: India conducted its first successful
ASAT test on March 27, 2019 under “Mission Shakti”. It was a joint programme of
the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Space
Research Organisation (ISRO). India used Prithvi Defense Vehicle (PDV Mark II
missile) an anti-ballistic-missile interceptor, to destroy the ‘Microsat-R satellite’
orbiting at 285 kilometers in altitude. Microsat-R (COSPAR designation
2019-006A) was a 740 kilogram satellite launched by India two months earlier to
serve as a target for the test.[15]
Unlike the Chinese ASAT
test the
Indian test produced some 400 fragments (of which about 270 are being tracked)
that decayed in few
months.[16]
Why does India need ASAT?
In view of the importance of our space assets and
critical infrastructure India need to project its power. It is essential that India
develop and deploy an operational ASAT to create some deterrence against potential hostile behavior
against its interests. The Indian ASAT
program is focused explicitly on those satellites which most threaten its interests
in times of crisis or limited war. India has come a long
way as far as the ASATs are concerned. From fierce opposition of the US and
Soviet ASAT tests in the 1970s and 1980s, India has come to appreciate the strategic
utility of these capabilities and demonstrations. Against the backdrop Satish Dhawan,
a pioneer of the Indian space program, observed that ‘time would tell whether
Indian activities in space would remain exclusively civilian and pacifist’. However
a
clearer articulation on space began to appear after the Chinese ASAT test in January
2007. It was a wake-up call for Indian policymakers to better address this
threat.[17]
ASAT propels India to the
coveted space-superpower league. India will now have the power to decimate
satellites for pure military and strategic purpose. It provides the capability
to shoot down enemy satellites in orbit there by disrupting critical
communications and surveillance capabilities. According to
ministry of external affairs of India, test was done “to verify … the
capability to safeguard our space assets.” This is a problematic contention. An
ASAT in itself is not a defensive system that could ‘safeguard’ any space
asset. Instead, it is an offensive system that could solely be used for
retribution in response to an attack on India’s space assets. In that sense,
the capability can only be used as a deterrent against a potential rival (China
seems to be the only threat), a fact, which, though, has not found mention in
any statements. However, considering that China is far ahead in strategic
technologies, including Hypersonic Glide Vehicles (HGV), Directed-Energy
weapons and MaRVs (maneuverable re-entry vehicles), it would be unwise for
India to seek to match China on a competing scale.[18]
No doubt China is a significant space power however
counter-space capabilities of India will provide a critical balancing
deterrent. India wanted to demonstrate to China that it could
hold at risk Beijing’s space assets if required in a crisis. India chooses its
time well as trump administration was very apprehensive to recent actions of
china. This made U.S. administration not to be overly critical of India’s ASAT
test. India also sought to convey credible proof of its capabilities before any
international efforts to ban kinetic, debris-producing ASAT tests were
consummated.[19]
With this now India will be accorded
a place in any future international treaty that relates to the governance or
usage of Space. Furthermore USA, China, Russia and recently France have also
announced that it will establish a space command to protect its space interests
and assets. In this strategic environment Indian need to protect its space
assets is becoming an imperative.[20]
The Issue of Space Debris
Space debris consists of pieces of non-functional
spacecraft, and can vary in size from tiny paint flecks to an entire “dead”
satellite.
·
Space
debris orbits from hundreds to thousands of kilometers above Earth.
·
The
presence of space debris increases the likelihood of collision with the operational
satellites and renders them dysfunctional.
Chinese ASAT test in 2007 occurred at an altitude of 865 km
and produced a debris field of some 3,000 objects that will linger in space for
decades. However in comparison to that the Indian ASAT test produced only 400
fragments. According
to ISRO, debris will decay and fall back on to the earth within a week or
months. NASA alleged that Mission Shakti created debris can impact the
International Space Station (ISS).[21]
However such allegations were rejected by India and later on it was found baseless
as nothing has happened till now.
However it can’t be denied that space junk is growing fast
and posing a serious problem. According to the European Space Agency’s
statistical model, there are over 130 million pieces of anthropogenic space
debris smaller than a millimeter. It can potentially harm satellites being launched or in
their orbital path. The only way we can hope to do anything about the problem
is by working together.[22]
Militarisation and Weaponisation of
Space
Militarisation and weaponisation of
space establish military supremacy in outer space, which emerges out of two
basic apprehensions;
·
lack
of faith in the present missile defence system to stall an incoming ICBM armed
with a nuclear warhead.
·
To
preserve own satellites in space against other Anti- Satellite (ASAT) weapons. [23]
The weaponization of space includes
placing weapons in outer space or on heavenly bodies as well as creating
weapons that will transit outer space or simply travel from Earth to attack or
destroy targets in space. Examples include the placing of orbital or suborbital
satellites with the intention of attacking enemy satellites, using ground-based
direct ascent missiles to attack space assets, jamming signals sent from enemy
satellites, using lasers to incapacitate enemy satellites, plasma attacks,
orbital ballistic missiles, and satellite attacks on Earth targets. [24]
On the other hand militarisation of
outer space refers to the use of space in support of ground, sea and air-based
military operations. It also includes developing assets to be based in space
with supporting ground infrastructure for military use such as early warning,
communications, command and control, position navigation and monitoring (remote
sensing) that can be used for verification, surveillance, intelligence and
targeting purposes.[25]
The militarization of space assists armies on the conventional battlefield,
whereas via the weaponization of space, outer space itself emerges as the
battleground, sometimes referred to as the “fourth frontier of war.”[26]
Convention on Space
During the Cold War
era, the placement of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) in space became an
increasing concern for the international community, leading to the signing of the
‘Outer Space Treaty’ in January 1967. This treaty banned states
from placing WMDs in the Earth’s orbit, on the Moon or any other celestial
body. However, the treaty does not prohibit the stationing of weapons in space
or ASAT weapons as this treaty is only for weapons that are placed in orbit. The
treaty also promotes the use of space for peaceful purposes, ‘‘for the benefit
and in the interest of all countries and shall be the province of all
mankind.’’[27] While the Charter of the United Nations prohibits
aggression in space just as it does terrestrially, there is no consensus on
what constitutes a use of force or armed attack against space capabilities.
There is also a lack of consensus on norms of behavior for conducting military
activities in space during peacetime, including close approaches of other
satellites.[28]
There
are several other treaties and numerous non-binding resolutions on the topic of
space security but the readiness of all states to contribute to that common
objective “effectively restrict countries from weaponization of space” is
missing.[29]
Way Forward:
India must be prepare
to take necessary steps to avert a situation in which the enemy has full
freedom during a crisis or conflict to target its assets in and from space
while it has no capability to respond. The development of a credible ASAT
system is an integral part of the steps needed to avert such a situation. However
India is committed to the exploration and use of space by all nations for
peaceful purposes and for the benefit of mankind. But it is argued that Mission Shakti can
start a race towards militarization and weaponization of space. To this what
has to be observed is that Space since the time of the Cold War was militarized
(i.e space-base military satellites; spy-satellites, etc.) if not weaponized.
Furthermore India needs the following prioritized
lines of effort (LOEs) to achieve its desired conditions:
·
Build a
comprehensive space command.
·
Integrate
military space power into national, joint, and combined operations.
·
Protect space
assets and Track space debris.
·
Cooperate with
allies.
·
Build ‘Minimum Credible
Capability’ in space arms.
Nations have to understand that they can gain great
deal from fostering a cooperative approach to outer space and lose much by
turning it into a battlefield. Until then to protect its interests India will
move heaven and earth.
Endnotes:
[1] Peri,
Dinkar (2019), “Successful anti-satellite missile test
puts India in elite club”, The hindu , 27 March, [online: web] accessed on 12 March
2021:
https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/successful-anti-satellite-missile-test-puts-indiain-elite-club/article26657024.ece
[2] Raju,
Nivedita (2021), “A Proposal for a ban on Destructive Anti-Satellite Testing: A
Role for the European Union?” , EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament
Consortium, paper no 74, April.
[3] “Challenges to Security in Space ”(2019), “Committed to Excellence in Defense of the Nation”, Defence Intelligence Agency , [online: web] accessed on 5 June 2021: https://www.dia.mil/Portals/27/Documents/News/Military%20Power%20Publications/Space_Threat_V14_020119_sm.pdf
[4]
Reesman, Rebecca and Wilson, James R. (2008), “The physics of Space war”, The
Center for Space Policy and Strategy, [online: web] accessed on 15 January
2021:http: www aerospace org/Policy or policy @ aero.org
[5] Raju,
Nivedita (2021), “A Proposal for a ban on Destructive ANTI-Satellite Testing: A
Role For the European Union?”, EU Non-Proliferation and Disarmament Consortium,
paper no 74,April .
[6] Martin,
Marissa and Pfrang, Kaila and Weeden, Brian (2021), “Indian direct ascent Anti
Satellite testing”, Fact Sheet, [online: web] accessed on 21 March 2021: https://swfound.org/media/207182/swf_indian_da-asat_fact_sheet_apr2021.pdf
[7] Set,
Shounak (2019), “India’s Space Power: Revisiting the Anti-Satellite Test”, Carnegie
Endowment for International Peace, [online: web] accessed on 11 February 2021:
http://carnegieindia.org2019/09/06india-s-space-power-revisiting-anti-satellite-test-pub-79797.
[8]George,
Justin Paul(2019), “History of anti-satellite weapons: US tested 1st ASAT
missile 60 years ago”, The Week,27 March, [online: web] accessed on 16 July 2020:
https://www.theweek.in/news/sci-tech/2019/03/27/history-anti-satellite-weapon-us-asat-missile.html
[9] Kumar,
A. Vinod (2019), “India’s ASAT Test: Joining the Arms Race in Outer
Space?”,IDSA comment, [online: web] accessed on 14 March 2021: https://idsa.in/idsacomments/india-asat-test-vkumar-28-0319
[10]Steer,
Dr. Cassandra (2020), “Why Outer Space Matters for National and International
Security”, [online: web] accessed on 6 July 2021: https://www.law.upenn.edu/live/files/10053-why-outer-space-matters-for-national-and
[11] George,
Justin Paul(2019), “History of anti-satellite weapons: US tested 1st ASAT
missile 60 years ago”, The Week,27 March, [online: web] accessed on 16 July
2020:https://www.theweek.in/news/sci-tech/2019/03/27/history-anti-satellite-weapon-us-asat-missile.html
[12]
“Challenges to Security in Space ”(2019), “Committed to Excellence in Defense
of the Nation”, Defence Intelligence
Agency , [online: web] accessed on 5 June 2021: https://www.dia.mil/Portals/27/Documents/News/Military%20Power%20Publications/Space_Threat_V14_020119_sm.pdf
[13] Kumar,
A. Vinod (2019), “India’s ASAT Test: Joining the Arms Race in Outer Space?”,IDSA
comment, [online: web] accessed on 14 March 2021:
https://idsa.in/idsacomments/india-asat-test-vkumar-28-0319
[14] Reesman, Rebecca and Wilson,
James R. (2008), “The physics of Space war”, The Center for Space Policy and
Strategy, [online: web] accessed on 15 January 2021:http: www aerospace
org/Policy or policy @ aero.org
[15] Marco
Langbroek (2019) “Why India’s ASAT Test Was Reckless”, thediplomat,13
April, [online: web] accessed on 11
December 2020: https://thediplomat.com/2019/05/why-indias-asat-test-was-reckless/
[16]
Tellis, Ashley J.(2019), “India’s ASAT Test: An Incomplete Success” April 15,
Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. [online: web] accessed on 19 Nov 2020:
https://carnegieendowment.org/2019/04/15/india-s-asat-test-incomplete-success-pub-78884
[17]
Rajgopalan, Rajeswari Pillai (2019), “India’s ASAT test: Further steps”, ORF, [online:
web] accessed on 1 March 2021: https://www.orfonline.org/expert-speak/indias-asat-test-further-steps-49340/
[18] Kumar,
A. Vinod (2019), “India’s ASAT Test: Joining the Arms Race in Outer
Space?”,IDSA comment, [online: web] accessed on 14 March 2021:
https://idsa.in/idsacomments/india-asat-test-vkumar-28-0319
[19] Tellis,
Ashley J.(2019), “India’s ASAT Test: An Incomplete Success” April 15, Carnegie
Endowment for International Peace. [online: web] accessed on 19 Nov 2020:
https://carnegieendowment.org/2019/04/15/india-s-asat-test-incomplete-success-pub-78884
[20]
Satyanath, Pranav R(2019), “ Space Power and Space Warfare: A Review”,
Takshashila Review Paper: 2019-02, [online: web] accessed on 11 May 2021: https://takshashila.org.in/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/TRP-Space_Power_Warfare-PRS-2019-02.pdf
[21] Somasekhar,
M. (2021), “Two years after ASAT, India says it’s almost cleared space debris”,
[online: web] accessed on 1 May 2021: https://www.siasat.com/two-years-after-asat-india-says-its-almost-cleared-space-debris-2116616/
[22] Ibid………
[23]
Tripathi, PN (2013), “Weaponisation and Militarisation of Space”, CLAWS Journal
l Winter, [online: web] accessed on 17
May 2021:
https://indianarmy.nic.in/WriteReadData/Documents/Weaponisation.pdf
[24] Vasani, Harsh(2017), “ How China
Is Weaponizing Outer Space”, the diplomat , January 19, [online:
web] accessed on 15 April 2021: https://thediplomat.com/2017/01/how-china-is-weaponizing-outer-space/
[25] Tripathi, PN (2013),
“Weaponisation and Militarisation of Space”, CLAWS Journal l Winter, [online:
web] accessed on 17 May 2021: https://indianarmy.nic.in/WriteReadData/Documents/Weaponisation.pdf
[26] Vasani, Harsh(2017), “ How China
Is Weaponizing Outer Space”, the diplomat , January 19, [online:
web] accessed on 15 April 2021: https://thediplomat.com/2017/01/how-china-is-weaponizing-outer-space/
[27]
Satyanath, Pranav R(2019), “ Space Power and Space Warfare: A Review”,
Takshashila Review Paper: 2019-02, [online: web] accessed on 11 May 2021:
https://takshashila.org.in/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/TRP-Space_Power_Warfare-PRS-2019-02.pdf
[28]
Victoria Samson and Brian Weeden (2020), “Enhancing Space Security: Time for
Legally Binding Measures”, Arms Control Today ,December, [online: web] accessed
on 1 March 2021:
https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2020-12/features/enhancing-space-security-time-legally-binding-measures
[29] Rodhan - Nayef Al(2018), “ Weaponization and Outer Space Security”, 12 March, [online: web] accessed on 17 May 2021: https://www.globalpolicyjournal.com/blog/12/03/2018/weaponization-and-outer-space-security
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