samlove
FULL MEMBER
- Joined
- May 4, 2013
- Messages
- 1,328
- Reaction score
- 2
- Country
- Location
In early 2007 China successfully conducted a test of its first ASAT (anti-satellite) weapon sending shock waves across the globe and seriously jolting the Indian defense establishement into thinking on strategies to counter China's destabilizing agenda. In 2006, the U.S. government released a report claiming that China had tagged some U.S. observation satellites with a high-power laser system. Although no major damage was done to the satellites, it later emerged that the laser was not directed at the optical lenses, which could have rendered the satellites useless. In 2008, when the Shenzhou-07 was in orbit, the Taikonauts on the mission released a BX-1 micro satellite. The BX-1 flew within the 1000-mile secure radius of the International Space Station (the ISS is programmed to change trajectory and orbit should this happen). Although no harm was done, this demonstrated China’s ability to deploy micro satellites with ASAT capabilities.
Does DRDO have the capability of destroying satellites in space?
India does not intend to weaponize space but the building blocks for an ASAT weapon are in place. However, a little fine tuning may be required but that can be achieved electronically. A physical test of an actual destruction of a satellite is not planned. However, India’s varied missile capabilities are catching up to be at par with those of the US and China, as talks revolve around integrating the Agni-III ballistic missile with a satellite kill vehicle. India is considering the feasibility of developing an anti-satellite missile which will lend a superior edge to India’s missile power. It would involve the development of lasers and an exo-atmospheric kill vehicle.
There are a few essential parameters in intercepting satellites such as tracking an orbiting satellite in space, launch a missile towards it and finally have a kill vehicle that actually homes in to physically destroy it. A sophisticated Radar namely the Long Range Tracking Radar (LRTR) used in the Ballistic Missile Defence Program that has a range of over 600 km has been developed and research is ongoing to increase the range to 1,400 km which will eventually allow tracking of orbiting satellites. It is far more difficult to intercept ballistic missiles than it is to intercept satellites. Satellites follow a predictive path. Once a satellite is tracked, its patch is easily obtainable. In the BMD project a 0.1 square meter target is tracked and intercepted a over 1,000 km away. A satellite is ten times larger - over 1 meter wide.
The other critical parameter is to developed a capable communication systems network. The first-stage booster developed for the Agni-V can inject a warhead 600 km into space.The Agni series of missiles already contained the propulsion module and a kill vehicle already existed in principle although it had not been formalized. The kill vehicle can actually home in onto an incoming missile with the help of Infra-Red and Radar frequency seekers that accurately guide it to its target.
Concerned about global trends, India is making progress in building its space defense capabilities.
Global Outlook
The Polyus was a prototype orbital weapons platform designed to US Satellites with a recoilless cannon. It was also equipped with a sensor blinding Megawatt Carbon-dioxide Laser to confuse approaching weapons. The Polyus spacecraft was launched 15 May 1987 from Baikonur Cosmodrome but failed to reach orbit
Fortunately, the final frontier has yet to become a battlefield. On present trends, however, the next two decades will witness a global arms race in space, culminating in a sophisticated weapons system being placed in orbit. The United States and Russia (formerly the Soviet Union) have been active in this sphere since the early 1960s, when the Soviets first tested the “hunter killer” low orbit satellite system. The U.S. responded with a series of advanced strategic missile projects and some more promising ground launched initiatives. Since then, however, both the U.S. and Russia have constrained their space military programs, seeking to discourage weaponization. Still, both countries have made it clear they will start again, should a line be crossed since the Chinese test has made that the crucial paradigm shift.
Building Blocks
A part from the global ramifications, these developments have sent alarm bells ringing in India. An opponent of the weaponizing of space, India has made impressive developments with its Agni–V Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile, joining an elite club of countries that possess this technology. Recently, the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) announced that it can harness the technology to manufacture anti-satellite weaponry. This, along with the Indian Space Research Organization’s (ISRO) success with indigenous launch vehicles, equips the Indian space program with the technological capability to undertake space weaponiszation activities.
ISRO has already established a reputation for reliability when it comes to launching satellites using its medium Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV). Its workhorse launch vehicle has put more than 45 satellites of various countries. With the recent success of the geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle (GSLV-D6), ISRO is ready to take on satellites weighing in excess of two tons, an important prerequisite to the deployment of any weapons system. Existing space treaties prohibit placing weapons of mass destruction in space, but not other types of weapons. Therefore, the next logical step for the DRDO is to develop orbital weapons, which could remain in space for as long as required and activated in case of future contingencies.
Exclusive Space Based Hardware
India is developing a Communication-Centric Intelligence Satellite (CCI-Sat). CCI-Sat is an advanced Reconnaissance satellite, being developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). This satellite will help Indian intelligence agencies to significantly boost surveillance of terror camps across the border. The CCI-Sat will be able to capture images, eaves drop on communication (for example, a conversation between two satellite phones) and perform surveillance. It will be equipped with synthetic aperture radar to take high resolution images of the target region. Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) complements photographic and other optical imaging capabilities because it is not limited by the time of day or atmospheric conditions. The CCI-Sat would orbit the Earth at an altitude of 500 km and would cover hostile regions in India's neighborhood by passing on the surveillance data to intelligence agencies. The Satellite may be in orbit in 2016.
