ASAT Weapons : A Real Threat to the Future of Space : Daily Current Affairs

Date: 14/10/2022

Relevance: GS-3: Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

Key Phrases: India’s anti-satellite (ASAT), weaponisation of space, Mission Shakti, Anti-satellite weapons, DRDO, ISRO, UNGA resolution 69/32, Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space, 1967 Outer Space Treaty, nuclear weapons, weapons of mass destruction, ballistic missiles, Open-Ended Working Group.

Why in News?

Counter space capabilities such as ASAT weapons have been criticised for accentuating regional insecurities rather than diminishing the threats faced by countries.

Context:

India’s anti-satellite (ASAT) test in March 2019 made it the fourth country (after the United States, Russia, and China) to have a demonstrated ASAT capability.
Israel is another country that is thought to have this capability, but it has not demonstrated it as yet.
This has kickstarted a new debate about ASATs, their dangers and consequences for international security. The debate is not taking place in a vacuum—there has been considerable debate lately about the growing trends in the weaponisation of space.

What are Mission Shakti and ASAT Missile?

On March 27, 2019 India conducted Mission Shakti, an anti-satellite missile test, from the Dr. A P J Abdul Kalam Island launch complex.
Mission Shakti was undertaken to develop highly-potent Anti-satellite weapons (ASAT).
It is a joint programme of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
The satellite used in the mission was one of India’s existing satellites operating in lower orbit.
The significance of the test is that India has tested and successfully demonstrated its capability to interdict and intercept a satellite in outer space based on complete indigenous technology.
Anti-satellite (ASAT) weapons are missile-based systems to attack moving satellites. So far the United States, China and Russia were the only ones who’ve reported the ability to shoot down space objects from ground or airborne sources.

Is India entering into an arms race in outer space?

India has no intention of entering into an arms race in outer space. India has always maintained that space must be used only for peaceful purposes. India is against the weaponization of Outer Space and supports international efforts to reinforce the safety and security of space based assets.
India believes that Outer space is the common heritage of humankind and it is the responsibility of all space-faring nations to preserve and promote the benefits flowing from technological advances in Space.
India is a party to all the major international treaties relating to Outer Space. India already implements a number of Transparency and Confidence Building Measures (TCBMs) – including registering space objects with the UN register, prelaunch notifications, measures in harmony with the UN Space Mitigation Guidelines, participation in Inter Agency Space Debris Coordination (IADC) activities with regard to space debris management, undertaking SOPA (Space Object Proximity Awareness and COLA (Collision Avoidance) Analysis and numerous international cooperation activities, including hosting the UN affiliated Centre for Space and Science Technology Education in Asia and Pacific.
India supported UNGA resolution 69/32 on No First Placement of Weapons on Outer Space. India sees the No First Placement of weapons in outer space as only an interim step and not a substitute for concluding substantive legal measures to ensure the prevention of an arms race in outer space, which should continue to be a priority for the international community.
India supports the substantive consideration of the issue of Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) in the Conference on Disarmament where it has been on the agenda since 1982.
India is not in violation of any international law or Treaty to which it is a Party or any national obligation.

What is the international law on weapons in outer space?

The principal international Treaty on space is the 1967 Outer Space Treaty. India is a signatory to this treaty, and ratified it in 1982.
The treaty forbids countries from deploying "nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction" in outer space.
The term "weapons of mass destruction" is not defined, but it is commonly understood to include nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons.
The treaty, however, does not prohibit the launching of ballistic missiles, which could be armed with WMD warheads, through space.
The treaty repeatedly emphasizes that space is to be used for peaceful purposes, leading some analysts to conclude that the treaty could broadly be interpreted as prohibiting all types of weapons systems, not just WMD, in outer space.
The treaty's key arms control provisions are in Article IV. States-parties commit not to:
- Place in orbit around the Earth or other celestial bodies any nuclear weapons or objects carrying WMD.
- Install WMD on celestial bodies or station WMD in outer space in any other manner.
- Establish military bases or installations, test "any type of weapons," or conduct military exercises on the moon and other celestial bodies.

Concerns with this anti-satellite (ASAT) test in space:

Destroying a satellite in orbit comes with a major risk - space debris, which can hurtle around the Earth at 17,000 kph. At such speeds, a metal fragment just 1 cm across will obliterate a spacecraft it collides with.
China's ASAT shot in 2007 resulted in a shower of 3,000 fragments that are still troubling spacecraft.
NASA chief Jim Bridenstine has called India's ASAT missile test as 'terrible thing' as he claimed the test created 400 pieces of orbital and threatened astronauts on the International Space Station.
In addition to it, although India clarifies that India’s space capabilities do not threaten any country and nor are, they directed against anyone. But, India’s test may initiate arms race in outer space.
In worsening international and regional security conditions, it is likely that more states will pursue this path despite the uncertainties and insecurities that come with it. Therefore, even states that want to keep their space programmes focused on civilian applications will likely focus on this for their national security.

Way Forward:

The only way the race towards the development of counter space capabilities including ASATs can be prevented is by making ASAT tests a prime issue in multilateral arms control discussions.
A limited conversation among the four ASAT powers can be a starting point and a step in the right direction. The current Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) under the UN on reducing space threats through norms, rules, and principles of responsible behaviours could be a platform that might generate such commitments. Alternatively, we are looking at a much more dangerous environment for outer space activities.
India expects to play a role in the future in the drafting of international law on prevention of an arms race in outer space including inter alia on the prevention of the placement of weapons in outer space in its capacity as a major space faring nation with proven space technology.

Source: ORF-Online

Mains Question:

Q. What are Mission Shakti and ASAT Missile? Is India entering into an arms race in outer space by conducting Mission Shakti?