What is the effect of this on space debris? It mentioned 'low orbit'. Is it low enough that the debris will drop out or has this increased the danger of Kessler Syndrome?

This was an orbit of 300km. Low enough to burn without continued acceleration.

I'm guessing that when you're under attack and the attacker is using a satellite above to attack you, debris resulting from its destruction is not a pressing concern.

This is how a regional conflict ends up destroying humanity.

To elaborate, even a minor conflict in orbit runs a high risk of causing a chain reaction which turns most satellites into a cloud of orbital velocity debris. This cloud will make it impossible for any spacecraft to operate beyond that altitude for hundreds of years. We will have confined ourselves to this planet.

Even with the current situation which is infinitely better than what post-conflict would look like, avoidance of debris is a major concern when planning space missions.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kessler_syndrome

As per this report, it was a "kinetic kill", which means no explosives were used - the satellite was slammed into

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/mission-shakti-asa...

And what do you think happens when two objects slam into each other at orbital speeds? The entire premise of an ablation cascade is a series of kinetic collisions.

and next we'll see this spiral into another mini space race as Pakistan "independently obtains" this capability courtesy of China and whatever technology Pakistan acquires proliferates to regimes and groups you'd least want those tech to end up with..

We handle space just as well as we do with Earth. Space however almost doesn't recover on its own. Those tiny particles are too light and are going too fast to drop down to earth.

If we cannot clean it up, we have a problem. Satellites are an essential part of our society.

The cynic in me thinks that everything being said and done right now is because of upcoming elections. I started thinking like this after I learned the whole demonetization fiasco was just to win the UP elections.

Nonetheless it does feel better that India is doing something about upgrading its defence with the recent happenings in doklam and pulwama.

Well, I would like to contest that claim.

Taken from Wikipedia, https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-satellite_weapon -

>>On February 10, 2010, Defence Research and Development Organisation Director-General and Scientific Advisor to the Defence Minister, Dr VK Saraswat stated that India had "all the building blocks necessary" to integrate an anti-satellite weapon to neutralize hostile satellites in low earth and polar orbits.

Indian scientists were working in this since at least 2010, and this mission has bore fruition only when it was to.

Demonetization was totally current PM’s decision, but the successful testing of A-SAT was in the making since at least a decade.

Yes. It seems that this could've been done as early as 2012. But the then government didn't give a go ahead[1].

1. https://archive.indianexpress.com/news/can-show-antisatellit...

You are in all probability correct and you arent the only one. (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-47114401)

Like the other commenter pointed out, the DRDO has long claimed this capability. But this surprise announcement in a planned press conference (without telling what it was about) before elections.. why announce this now? Timing of it only makes sense in context of elections

> The cynic in me thinks that everything being said and done right now is because of upcoming elections. I started thinking like this after I learned the whole demonetization fiasco was just to win the UP elections.

You are obviously free to think whatever you want but that's still a speculation.

Kind of disappointing considering India's general rhetoric of "peaceful space exploration". Regardless of what they say, it's basically impossible to use an ASAT weapon for anything peaceful :/

I wonder if developing a "defence capability" constitutes a violation of peaceful purpose. India lives in a bad neighborhood with unstable actors. Also, expecting it not to develop this capability when some others have, is not very realistic - more so when those others are unreliable at best and belligerent at worst.

According to Russia it does: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NATO_missile_defence_system

"Rogue/terrorist satellite goes out of control, threatens territorial sovereignty of India (or its friendly neighbours). It'll do some harm if it comes down over India, so: swish-BOOM! Industrial catastrophe averted, problem solved. Thanks, well-maintained military!"

I mean, its not basically impossible. Unlikely, thankfully!

(or .. maybe .. not, hmm...)

More details here:

1. https://www.livemint.com/news/india/what-is-mission-shakti-a...

2. https://m.hindustantimes.com/india-news/explained-mission-sh...

Nothing like election season to increase the pace of governance. Although the model code of conduct is in effect so presumably this was planned before the ECI announced the dates of the polls.

Code of conduct doesn't apply to national security issues.[1]

1. https://m.economictimes.com/news/elections/lok-sabha/india/i...

This is just an election gimmick from india’s Megalomaniac PM Modi. Neither very important nor actually achieved during his tenure.

Wow. Could you expound on why having a tech that targets satellites in space is "not important" and is merely "an election gimmick"?

Once you technically solved the problem of sending satellites to orbit using a rocket - you already have the wherewithal to target them as well. ISRO achieved this eons ago. Apart from boasting rights - nobody can really use this for fear of reprimand from UN and world powers. The gist is - don't make space your arena of war - future generations will not pardon you!

I am sorry to inform you my friend that work on this project began before Modi became the PM. Please do not insult the hard work of our scientists to fulfill your political fantasies.

This is great news! Was hoping India wouldn't go this route -- but I guess reality is different from the hope world.

What embarrassment? IAF uses what's present in their inventory and that includes MiG 21s.

That's what is embarrassing. Even more so that is what was used in combat.