Anti-Satellite (ASAT) Weapons

Space assets are vulnerable to a variety of threats that include jamming of communications, command and control systems/links, physical attacks on satellites and ground stations, dazzling or blinding of satellite sensors; high-altitude nuclear detonations (HAND).

• Deepak Sharma
• Occasional Papers

India needs a comprehensive space security architecture consisting of a dedicated Space Command for operational aspects as well as an exclusive Defence Space Research Agency to focus on scientific and technical aspects.

• Laxman Kumar Behera
• April 09, 2019
• IDSA Comments

An ASAT in itself is not a defensive system that could ‘safeguard’ any 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.

• A. Vinod Kumar
• March 28, 2019
• IDSA Comments

A decision to conduct an ASAT test has to be a nuanced one considering the strategic advantages such a test could offer and the diplomatic elbow room that it would give during negotiations on a space arms control mechanism.

• Ajey Lele
• July 11, 2012
• IDSA Comments

Sino-US rivalry has been simmering for the past many years, as China has replaced Russia in the American scheme of things as its most potent adversary.

• Rajeev Sharma
• October 13, 2010
• IDSA Comments

China’s missile defence test could possibly up the ante in the region, with other regional powers considering measures in reaction.

• Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan
• February 01, 2010
• IDSA Comments

As part of its peaceful rise strategy, China has made resolute investments in the field of science and technology. One major aspect of this technological quest has been its investments in space technologies. China's success in this field is remarkable and has brought glory to the nation. However, at the same time, the anti-satellite test (ASAT) undertaken by China, during January 2007, has raised the fears of the weaponization of space.

• Ajey Lele
• July 2008
• Strategic Analysis

Rarely would a defence R&D agency get an actual operational scenario to test the capability of a military system before attaining total technological maturity. The much-maligned U.S. Missile Defence Agency (MDA) silenced its long-time critics by utilising such an opportunity through a successful interception of a dysfunctional military reconnaissance satellite which threatened to hit the Earth with hazardous fuel.

• A. Vinod Kumar
• February 26, 2008
• IDSA Comments

It may be a mere coincidence that the People's Daily, official mouth piece of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), decided to carry two pieces on China's ongoing space programme on its website on February 7, 2007.

• M. V. Rappai
• February 19, 2007
• IDSA Comments

With the successful test of its first anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon, China has once again highlighted its impressive achievements in space technology. At the same time, the test is refuelling debate around the world, particularly in the US, between proponents of regulating the use of outer space and those who insist on America's absolute free reign in this realm. But the niggling question with regard to the test is whether this test is a signal aimed at bringing the Americans to the negotiating table for a space-weapons treaty?

• Jagannath P. Panda
• February 12, 2007
• IDSA Comments